Issue3

WWW.MANCUNION.COM 5th OCTOBER 2015 / ISSUE 3 FREE

Azeem Ward: The man behind the meme

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Prevent implemented around UK universities

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A year of change: The LGBT community in Manchester

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Medics march against drastic contract changes

Photo: Zoë Brunswick

Doctors marched through Manchester at changes that could see junior doctors lose up to 30 per cent of their current earnings William Brown News Editor

On Tuesday, around 1,000 junior doctors and medical practitioners marched through the city centre in protest of contract changes that may see junior doctors lose up to 30 per cent of their earnings.

The protests come as the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt unveiled plans last week to fundamentally alter NHS junior doctors’ contracts.

While there are many aspects of the proposed plan being disputed, the key disputes relate to the reclassification of ‘unsociable’ hours.

Currently, ‘normal’ hours for junior doctors are 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday. Any hours worked outside these are classified as ‘unsociable’ and doctors will be paid extra for overtime work.

However the new deal proposed by the government will change ‘normal’ working hours to 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday. This means that ‘normal’ working hours will be increased by 50 per cent. From this reclassification junior

doctors may lose up to 30 per cent of their current earnings, reports BBC News.

While the government claims that the current contract arrangements are “unfair” and “outdated,” the overwhelming response from the medical community has been that these reforms are unsafe and highly damaging to both doctors and patients.

What with heavy budget cuts, an ageing population, and overstretched departments, many doctors already volunteer for long, antisocial, and exhausting hours to fill the gap in services and to provide the best quality of care.

Such is the strain that many doctors are warning that the NHS and its doctors are close to breaking point. After working long hours many NHS doctors claim they are in no state to make potentially life-changing decisions, which if taken wrongly could cause the patient irreparable harm.

Coupled with the high costs of getting through medical school, many claim that the government is creating a disincentive for would-be doctors from pursuing a career in medicine.

Continued on page 2...

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ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Highlights P10

Features: A preview of Black History Month 2015

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Opinion:

Letter from the Editor...

This week, only the first of lectures, has already demonstrated that the world doesn’t conform to our term dates.

Our front cover story regards the treatment of junior doctors by our Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, who seems to believe that all hospitals shut down between 5pm on a Friday and 9am on a Monday, and that already-overworked medical practitioners should work at weekends too—despite that the vast majority already do.

The government are redefining “sociable” hours as 7am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday, meaning that young medics won’t receive the overtime pay they would before if they are working well into the night and weekend.

It’s a shameless move to avoid paying higher wages to those that already struggle with long hours and low incomes. This will quite clearly drive even more people away from a vital but thankless and testing career. It’s also yet another blow to our ever-weakening NHS, a figurehead institution that tragically, we will never miss until it’s gone.

In a worrying blow for press freedom too, the Students’ Union at Sussex University blocked the distribution of its paper, The Badger, on the day it was meant to come out. Only going off comments that have come from the Union and the Editorial Team of that paper, it’s not easy to draw a conclusion of who’s in the right in this situation.

Photo of the week

Nevertheless, a blanket blockage of distribution and the suspension of someone in the same position as me raises some uncomfortable questions about the relationship between Union and newspaper. I sincerely hope that they can come to a reasonable agreement that suits both sides, and an understanding on the basis of retaining editorial independence at the newspaper.

In other news, October is both Black History Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We’ll be recognising both of these in this issue, with a piece dedicated to the importance of BHM from Benjamina, the BME Student Officer, on page 9, and a Fashion & Beauty section dedicated entirely to looking after your breasts, complete with a full, one-off colour change to entirely pink!

We have some comedy relief from an interview with unexpected cultural sensation, flautist Azeem Ward, whose final year flute recital at the University of California Santa Barbara managed to gain the attention of tens of thousands of British people, and is now on a sellout university tour and probably being taken to too many Nando’s. Seriously, sitting down with Azeem and his friend, Timmy, may have been one of the most surreal things I’ve ever done.

This has been a week of campaigning and controversy, and the coming week, with the Tory Party Conference promises no less. Enjoy Issue 3.

Photo: AK Hari Narayanan

Censorship is the enemy of change

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Food & Drink: Thai Prawn Curry: Warming and healthy

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Fashion & Beauty A Breast Cancer

Continued from page 1... the abolition of the maintenance grant will cause a significant increase in the debt oMany medical practitioners and students already complain of the tremendous costs associated with medical school what with the £9,000 a year tuition fees.

“Who does Jeremy Hunt hope to lure into medicine in future with the prospect of leaving doctors with £100k debt, accommodation to pay for and a salary valued at lowest paid worker?” asked Tameside GP and deputy chair of the British Medical Association (BMA) Dr Kailash Chand.

“The threat to impose a new contract on junior doctors in England goes beyond one country or one branch of practice—it’s an attack on the values we all cherish.

“With the best will in the world, they cannot be held responsible if such dangerously long hours put patients directly at risk.”

Across the country marches have broken out in protest of the proposed contract.

A recent Guardian poll found that an overwhelming 95 per cent of almost 30,000 Health Care Professionals questioned answered “Yes” to the question “Should junior doctors strike over the government’s proposed contract?”

Outside the luxury Midland hotel in Manchester, junior doctors chanted “shame” in unison. David Cameron will be staying at the hotel next weekend for the Conservative Party conference, and many of the protestors will form a core section of the ‘Week of Action’.

Tuheen Huda, an intensive care specialist at Manchester Royal Infirmary yelled at the crowd: “I’m angry at the systematic destruction of the NHS by this government. This change affects everyone—junior doctors, patients and the entire NHS”.

Emma, a spokesperson for NHS trainees in Manches-

Head News Editor: Jenny Sterne Deputy News Editor: William Brown Deputy News Editor (Science & Technology): Andy van den Bent-Kelly news@mancunion.com

ter, said: “I’m going to graduate at least with £84,000 worth of debt. And then I’m going to be punished for having a family, for having children or for working part-time. I have no protection or leeway.”

Dr. Jeremy Whitney from the BMA council called to the protesters: “This is an attack on NHS and an attack on the nation. Why would [Jeremy Hunt and David Cameron] care about the NHS—they can afford private hospitals. Every doctor across the country is backing you, fight against this!”

In response, one protester shouts: “We can’t bend over! We’re not a dead pig, we can fight this!”

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Postal address: University of Manchester Students’ Union, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR Phone: 0161 275 2989 Subeditors: Gemma Sowerby, Shaun Carter, Nadia Cheung, Lauren Nolan

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The Mancunion is the official student newspaper of the University of Manchester., established in 1969 with a readership of around 20,000. It is printed weekly for 20 editions and is distributed across campus and the city.

All writers are volunteers and new contributors are always welcome. You can get involved by turning up to a meeting, the times of which are listed on the Mancunion website’s Join page.

We gladly accept contributors from outside the University of Manchester.

The Mancunion is part of the Manchester Media Group, along with Fuse FM and Fuse TV. This body encompasses all of the Union’s official media outlets, and organises training, outside speakers, and social events for Manchester students interested in student media.

If you have any comments, questions, or complaints, or would like to contribute, please e-mail the Editor-in-chief or Deputy Editor-in-chief.

News 3

ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Council fails in Ark court bid A case brought by the Council against the homeless residents of the Ark for breaching an injunction against pitching tents in protest has been thrown out of court Daniel Saville Reporter A judge has thrown out legal proceedings against members of ‘the Ark’ homeless shelter, and called the Council’s pursuit of a conviction “misconceived and inappropriate.”

Manchester City Council issued proceedings against seven individuals for breaching city centre and possession orders over land occupied by the Ark homeless shelter.

Last week a judge granted Manchester Metropolitan University an order giving them permission to remove the camp, which they claim is on their property. On the 11th of September the camp was handed a civil eviction notice for Friday the 18th, and the residents were granted six days to protest the eviction.

The Council threatened them with two years in prison or a £5,000 fine for breaching a citywide injunction which outlaws pitching tents in protest of the treatment of the homeless.

On Wednesday the case went to Manchester Civil Justice Centre for a final decision, but the legal bid was thrown out by a judge. The court decided that the rough sleepers and protesters would not be removed from their location.

Judge Allan Gore said the

Photo: The Mancunion

way the Council had presented its case was “fundamentally defective.” Dismissing the Council’s case, he said: “There is no dates, descriptions of behaviour or identification of which allegations are made against which defendant.

“That is a fundamentally misconceived and inappropriate way to advance criminal proceedings, where the Council seeks that the court orders to commit people to prison.”

Labour rescind on Corbyn’s tuition fees election promise Katie Burns Reporter Labour’s 2015 conference, heralded as ‘make or break’ by many, drew to a close on Wednesday 30th September. With this conference being Jeremy Corbyn’s first as party leader, many of the policies set out were reiterations of ones that he had given during the leadership election, such as the abolition of the Trident nuclear deterrent.

However, on the topic of student loans, it appears that the party has had a change of heart.

Before becoming leader, Corbyn went as far as apologising to students for the current system of tuition fees and maintenance loans. He pledged that he would abolish tuition fees and reinstate maintenance

grants at a cost of £10 billion, winning considerable support both from students and the wider community.

However, at the conference, the Shadow Minister for Further Education, Skills and Regional Growth, Gordon Marsden, suggested that this policy is not set in stone.

When asked if he could clarify the current party position on tuition fees, Mr. Marsden said that “nothing is ruled in, nothing is ruled out.”

Speaking to the Times Higher Education during a fringe meeting on Monday 28th September, Mr. Marsden said that the country was at ‘a stage of critical decisions about funding.’ He suggested that Labour would be in ‘deep thought’ on their fees and funding policy, and that a

conclusion could only be reached upon following consultation both within the party and with outside organisations.

Mr. Marsden also touched upon ‘the really big issues around the black hole that’s developing over nonrepayment of loans,’ and said that increasing tuition fees further beyond the current £9000 cap would ‘potentially [create] even more problems’ in this area.

At the same meeting, Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, warned that Labour must have a ‘much wider’ funding debate. He stressed the importance of considering postgraduate and part-time students alongside undergraduates, while also concentrating on what taxpayers can handle financially.

Judge Gore also stated that the Council couldn’t even prove that some of the defendants had ever seen the injunction.

The application was then struck out and it was made clear that the Council must

cover the defendants’ legal costs, which could reach thousands.

Solicitor Ben Taylor, acting on behalf of three of the defendants in the case, spoke to Manchester Evening News and warned that the Council

could still take action against those breaching the order again.

“The application to commit was dismissed on procedural grounds and my clients are content with the outcome of today’s hearing. However the injunction remains in force, which means that the Council are still able to apply to commit them to prison again.”

Many in the camp still fear further legal action. Ryan McFee, the creator of the Ark, expressed fears today of a slow dissection of the camp.

“The bit of land that they tried to push a possession order through over there was covering this bit of land as well but what they’re trying to do is block us off little bits at a time and I’ve got a video of a gentleman who came to do an estimate on a permanent fence here. They’re going to put a permanent fence down near the Harris Centre now.”

He went on to say he worried another possession order would be lodged.

“We’re expecting them to come back at us, they’re going to sit back and gather more evidence so they can get another case against us, but they will just keep making a mockery of themselves.”

University Prepares for Black History Month Elle Lawrence-Clery Reporter In early October, Manchester University, along with the rest of the country, will be hosting a series of events to celebrate Black History Month in recognition of the achievements of ethnic minorities throughout history and the barriers that they must still overcome.

Events will begin with a Black and Minority Ethnicity (BME) Staff and Students Network, and will include talks from Dr Sivamohan Valluvan on ‘The Politics of Race’, as well as Visiting Professor at the University of Oxford and poet, Mark Samuels on ‘The Civilisations of SubSaharan Africa and beyond’.

Founded in the UK in 1987, Black History Month not only recognises historical figures from ethnic minorities, but also shapes the contemporary debate on the situation of ethnic minorities within Britain today. At the University of Manchester, in light of increasing Islamophobia within the UK and

new government legislation such as PREVENT, which allows the use of anti-terrorism surveillance in higher education, many of the events will focus on the experience of ethnic minorities living and studying in the country.

According to the NUS Hate Crime Interim Report, 16% of all students who responded to the survey had experienced a hate-related incident at their current place of study, and when added to the deteriorating political situation in Africa and the Middle East, and the inhumane treatment of refugees who are trying to enter the European Union, recognition of the importance of ethnic minorities within society has taken on new significance.

Other events include a talk from local historian Dominique Tressier on The University of Manchester’s involvement with minority individuals and groups throughout history, a Know Your Rights workshop, led by Simon Pook and Green and Black Cross, and

a talk by Dr Natalie Zacek on the ‘Relationship between Manchester and slavery’.

Aunjanue Ellis celebrating Black History Month. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Universities shocked after government allege they welcome ‘hate speakers’ As the new counter-terrorism legislation ‘Prevent’ is implemented in Universities, the government name and shame institutions that have according to them welcomed ‘hate speakers’ Jenny Sterne Head News Editor The government has recently very publicly named and shamed universities that host extremist preachers, a move which shocked many in higher education. The new prevent counter-terrorism regulations have just come into force for the new academic year.

While the National Union of Students (NUS) has publicly expressed their opposition to the new policy, the higher education institutions themselves have been compliant with the new checks on their external speakers.

In the face of hostility from students and some academics to the policy the universities were expecting to be congratulated on their compliance.

Instead, a Downing Street press release which coincided with the new rules, named and shamed universities who had featured “hate speakers”.

The press release cites “at least 70 events featuring hate speakers” at universities last year. It specifically accused four universities allowing the most speakers known to express “views contrary to British values”: Queen Mary University of London, SOAS University of London, King’s

College London and Kingston University.

All universities responded to the press release in shock and querying the Downing Street data.

SOAS said that only one of the six speakers named as attending their university had actually visited the campus— the controversial cleric, Haitham Al-Haddad, to discuss Islamic finance.

Kingston responded saying that the clerics named as speaking to their Islamic Society, were about the Central African Republic and “How one needs to strike a balance between the worldly life and the hereafter.”

Queen Mary’s principal, Simon Gaskell, said that his university never hosted extremist speakers against the advice of police and that they have rigorous vetting policies. He added that the university did not have contact with the extremism analysis unit—which had apparently completed the list.

However, Gaskell said “We would be happy to cooperate with them to ensure the information they have based their report on is accurate and would welcome sight of their definitions for ‘hate or extremist speakers’.”

Times Higher Education asked the Home Office for a

list of the 70 events cited in the release and was told that no more detail could be provided.

Hilary Aked, a researcher at the transparency campaign Spinwatch, has highlighted “striking similarities” between the Downing Street press release and a report published

by Student Rights, part of the Henry Jackson Society, a thinktank which has previously been condemned by student unions for “targeting Muslim students.”

The Student Rights report entitled Preventing Prevent, names all four universities as having hosted the most extremist speakers.

Aked said “The almost identical wording used to describe people convicted of terrorist offences suggests the material has simply been recycled.”

Aked also added that apparent use of the Student Rights’ material in the press release was “extremely worrying” because she felt that the Henry Jackson Society’s political bias was very clear— despite claims that it is “nonpartisan.”

Many have commented that the ‘naming and shaming’ policy indicates that the government’s Prevent strategy has changed. Jodie Ginsberg, Chief Executive of free speech campaign group Index on

Censorship said “It’s extremely worrying that they [the government] should go out and name these universities but provide almost no detail on the instances in question.”

Ginsberg added that using the “Extraordinary vague definition of an extremist as someone who does not hold British values” is problematic. She continued saying that “Going public with these examples on very sketchy evidence is simply scaremongering.”

Jo Johnson wrote to the NUS last month, calling for them to drop their policy against Prevent—which passed at its conference in April.

Some have further questioned whether the new attention on the NUS opposition to the policy is anything to do with the Henry Jackson Society—which has been an open critic of the NUS. Megan Dunn has said “As Student Unions are not public bodies, and therefore not subject to the act, it’s confusing that the government is so focused on our work.”

She added, “The NUS is a campaigning organisation, so our opposition to this agenda— based on both principled and practical concerns is both valid and appropriate.”

Home Secretary Theresa May. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Manchester medic Number of stressed introduces Corbyn students on the rise at conference Eve Foster Reporter

University of Manchester medical student Rohi Malik spoke to The Mancunion about her experience introducing Jeremy Corbyn at the Labour Party conference Beth Adams Reporter This week Brighton Centre hosted the Labour Party conference, the first with newly-elected leader Jeremy Corbyn in charge. Corbyn’s much-anticipated speech to conference took place on Tuesday and first-year Manchester student Rohi Malik was chosen to introduce him in front of the 4,500 members.

Rohi grew up in Corbyn’s London constituency of Islington North and has seen first-hand his work as a local MP. She said, “we have always seen how committed and honest he is, how hard he fights for the things he believes in and stands up for the people of Islington North.”

Rohi began working on Corbyn’s bid for Labour leadership over the summer and said that “to have any part in that was amazing.”

Speaking to The Mancunion on Wednesday she still couldn’t believe it had happened and said it was “terrifying, one of the scariest things I’ve ever done.” But Rohi also said it was incredible to be a part of something she believes in so strongly.

Her speech to the conference touched on why she believes in the Labour Party. Her father was a political prisoner in Pakistan who sought asylum in the UK, trained as a doctor and has been working in the NHS for the last 25 years. Her father was also the inspiration behind the decision to study Medicine at the University of Manchester,

which she started only this week.

Speaking about why she thinks Jeremy Corbyn has gained so much support and won the leadership contest so decisively, Rohi said it was because he provided a clear alternative. “People wanted change after the election and Jeremy offered them a real alternative and a different approach,” something he certainly will be doing after his speech spoke of “challenging austerity, creating a kinder politics and a caring society.”

As the conference ends, Rohi will begin studying Medicine in earnest and the country will wait to see how Corbyn’s Labour Party will perform in the House of Commons over the coming months.

This week, it has been reported that an increasing number of students are in need of university-based counselling due to rising stress and anxiety levels.

The chair of Universities UK’s mental well-being working group, Ruth Caleb, says the number of students using counselling services is usually between 5 per cent and 10 per cent–an estimated 115,000 students–but that now counselling services are facing an annual 10% rise in demand.

Alicia Pena Bizama, head of well-being at the University of Reading, attributes this rise to the increasing pressure on students, in terms of job prospects, the cost of university and subsequent debt.

Moreover, a greater number of students are seeking services for more serious problems. A report from the Higher Education Funding Council for England stated that instead of students reporting friendship and relationship or family issues, more students are reporting problems such

as depression and anxiety.

Strikingly, the report also stated that more students than ever are at a high risk of harming themselves.

However, this is not solely a university issue; there has been an increase generally in mental health issues nationwide.

However this means that the NHS’s Mental Health service is struggling to keep up with demand, subsequently causing an increase in students seeking university counselling support.

A third year English Literature student who seeks help from the University of Manchester’s counsellors praised the service overall, but said: “They’re definitely very busy. You can easily get appointments a few weeks in advance, but the demand means that it is hard to get a quick appointment, and sometimes you do need to speak to someone on the day.”

A spokesman from The University of Manchester said: “The University’s Counselling Service has seen an increase in the number of students and staff using its services over the past five years, although, in general, the severity and complexity of the cases they see has not changed.

“The reason for the increased number of users is likely to be due to many factors, including the higher profile of our Counselling Service and, happily, the reduced stigma associated with people using such services, which at Manchester accounts for just over 6% of our staff and student population.

“University can be an exciting but also challenging time. The University recognises this and offers flexible and innovative responses. Alongside one-toone counselling sessions, we provide a wide range of online resources and workshops focused on managing stress and anxiety; helping students handle academic pressures; improving their resilience, and regulating their mood.

“We have just opened a number of purpose-built Wellbeing Rooms in the Simon Building that will provide a fantastic new space for a range of activities that support the physical and psychological wellbeing of both our students and staff, starting with ‘Wellbeing Week’ this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.”

[October 6-8]

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ISSUE 5 / 19th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

LSE recommends gender quotas

Hong Kong universities march in silence for academic freedoms

Katie Buckingham Reporter

Students and academic staff of the University of Hong Kong gathered for a silent protest to combat Beijing’s apparent encroachment on academic liberties

On Tuesday 12th October, the London School of Economics’ Gender Institute published a report titled ‘Confronting Gender Inequality’. The report, codirected by LSE Professors Diane Perrons and Nicola Lacey, argued that gender inequality could be reduced in the economy, law, politics and media and culture with recommended changes.

The Gender Institute said, ‘The Commission was designed to draw on LSE research and external experts to provide theoretical and empirical knowledge to inform public and policy debates in the UK.’ Across all the four sections, the study highly recommended and emphasised the importance of mandatory quotas in order to see real reductions of gender inequality. The study stated that this would ensure ‘greater gender balance’ as well as being one of the most significant ways of effecting change. The authors argued that ‘presence alone is not sufficient’.

The report called specifically for quotas for women in internal government positions. The report acknowledged that ‘quotas can, on occasion, be cumbersome or feel overly mechanical’, but still contended that ‘this is the only way to ensure that questions of equality and diversity are taken seriously within a party.’

The stark difference between male and female employment in politics was highlighted

with statistics on female representation within elected bodies. Just 29% of UK MPs, 35% of MSPs (Members of Scottish Parliament), and 42% of AMs (Members of the Welsh Assembly) are women.

Although the report credited the UK as being significantly ahead of the world average of female politicians, which is approximately one in five, it emphasised that ‘we cannot assume that change is set to continue in a steady upward curve.’ The Guardian reported that Kate Green, the shadow equalities minister, said: “The report is right – radical action is needed to push for greater gender equality and representation.”

Mandatory quotas and audits were also advised to be introduced into the practice of law. The study criticised the limited impact the new system of equal opportunities in legal work,

introduced in 2005, had made; only 10% of QCs were female in 2010.

The study also stated that ‘The UK has never sent a woman judge to key international tribunals such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) or the European Court of Justice (ECJ)’.

The government’s economic policies were criticised as the study gave evidence showing that current austerity measures are causing more harm to women, especially those on lower income.

The report recommended socially fair and gender sensitive macroeconomic policies; the authors argued that public expenditure is vital in order to protect the local services that provide crucial facilities for women. These included childcare centres and law advisers which provide accessible legal aid to lower income families.

LSE Main Library Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Merle Streck Reporter An estimated 2,000 students and faculty members gathered at Hong Kong’s oldest university to take part in a silent protest on Tuesday the 6th of October. The aim of the protest was to voice concern about Beijing’s infringement on academic freedoms.

The march took place on campus and was triggered by the university’s governing council’s decision to block Johannes Chan, a liberal law professor, from becoming Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the university on the 29th of September.

Students and academics opposing the decision believe it was pressure from the Beijing government which led the council to vote down Chan’s candidacy for ProVice-Chancellorship by 12 to eight. Reports indicate that the move by the council was due to Chan’s participation in last year’s umbrella movement protests.

Timothy O’Leary, one of the leading organizers of the protest as well as the head of the School of Humanities,

stated: “All we can conclude is that they have blocked it for political reasons and that is completely unacceptable.”

Chan’s supporters believe that the Beijing government is seeking to punish the university for the prominent role its student activists and professors played in last year’s pro-democracy protests. The so-called “umbrella revolution” of 2014 saw thousands protest for 79 days to advocate universal suffrage in China and the expansion of democratic rights.

The protests began after reforms to the electoral system were set to be introduced.

These reforms were believed to be restrictive and placed control into the hands of the Communist Party. The Hong Kong Federation of Students and other student activist groups such as Scholarism, led by the well-known student Joshua Wong, started a strike soon after the decision was announced.

Occupy Central, one of the largest movements within the protests, was launched by Benny Tai, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong at the same time Chan was head

of the school. The movement began its campaign of civil disobedience on the 28th of September 2014. Chan and Tai share a close relationship and it is believed that Chan’s close ties to his colleague were a driving force behind the decision to vote him down as a candidate for the Pro-ViceChancellorship.

Chan also expressed his concern about Beijing’s encroachment on academic liberties, saying “there are people who are worried about how far they can still comment on public affairs, particularly those who work in humanities.

I have junior colleagues coming to me saying: ‘I don’t know really know whether I can still write about this or not.’”

Commenting on the aim of the protest, O’Leary said: “We march today in silence not because we have nothing to say, not because we are mourning anything. We march in silence to demonstrate to ourselves and to the city of Hong Kong what a university could be like if its academic staff and students were silent.”

Homesickness among Student protester paid students peaks in the £20,000 in damages third week of October by Sussex University Merle Strecke Senior Reporter Research conducted by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) indicates that the third week of October is the most popular time for students to travel back home from university.

Out of the 1.7 million journeys made in this week last year, more than 337,000 journeys were booked using 16 – 25 railcards. This figure represents a 13 per cent rise compared to the usual weekly average and a 28 per cent increase on railcard journeys originating in a university town, suggesting this is a particularly popular week to travel back to see family.

Christmas, according to ATOC, was the only busier period

last year. According to the research, the five top cities from which students with 16 – 25 railcards were departing from in the third week of October were Exeter with 64 per cent, Durham (61 per cent) Liverpool (52 per cent), Bristol (45 per cent) and Birmingham with 42 per cent more journeys than the usual weekly average.

Commenting on the recent data, Andrew Robertson of ATOC said: “Going to university for the first time can be an exciting but daunting experience for young adults.

And our research indicates that for many, the reality of living away from parents can really kick in after just a few weeks.”

Scarlett Ash, Student Coordinator for EAC Peer Mentoring at the University

of Manchester, told The Mancunion: “By week three of uni the novelty of being independent can begin to wear off, meaning students start to miss their home comforts.

Homesickness is not only a problem for first years, but for anyone who may feel that uni work is holding them back from spending a weekend at home.”

Leonie Dunn, a fellow Student Co-ordinator added: “It’s something most people will go through at one point in their time at university and often people are too embarrassed to voice it—this is something that we need to overcome.”

Charlie Spargo Editor-in-cheif An anti-privatisation protester at the University of Sussex has received a formal apology and £20,000 in damages after being accused of criminal behaviour for a protest in late 2013.

In 2013, hundreds of students joined protests on the Sussex campus against the outsourcing of more than 200 jobs to an external company. Five protesters, including Michael Segalov, then an undergraduate law student, were disciplined.

22-year-old Segalov was suspended, banned from campus, and accused of “intimidating behaviour, theft, damage and violence” by the University after sit-ins and demonstrations in November and December 2013.

The university published two bulletins about the protests on its website, titled ‘University

starts disciplinary process over persistent disruption of campus’ and ‘Disciplinary processes continue as University lifts student suspensions’, in which they made accusations that Segalov organised and led unlawful occupation of University property, and carried out criminal behaviour.

Over 200 academic staff wrote directly to Vice-Chancellor Michael Farthing who has recently announced he will step down, criticising the University’s response as disproportionate and threatening to the right to protest.

The university have now released an official apology, acknowledging “that there is no truth in any of these claims, and is happy to confirm this is the case.

In particular it confirms that Mr Segalov did not engage in any form of intimidation, theft, assault of a member of staff and/or damage to university property.”

“Throughout my time as a

student, I maintained that the campaigns I was part of were peaceful in nature, leaderless in their organisation, and had the support of the majority of students and staff,” said Segalov.

“The University of Sussex administration showed a blatant disregard for basic principles of law when attempting to clamp down on protests—suspending students wrongfully, banning protests, and publishing defamatory statements about me online.

“I’m relieved that the apology and statement in open court will show once and for all, and encourage students and activists across the country to continue to campaign for a fairer and free education system, and acts as a warning to administrations considering to act in similar ways as Sussex.”

The university have agreed to pay Mr Segalov’s legal fees, as well as £20,000 in damages.

News

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ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Gender equality Research grants for award for faculty Salford students Andy van den Bent-Kelly Science & Technology Editor The University of Manchester’s Faculty of Life Sciences has been awarded the prestigious Athena SWAN Silver Award in recognition of its efforts to tackle gender inequality in higher education.

The acknowledgement, which was bestowed on just 87 departments across the entire country, is awarded by the Equality Challenge Unit to institutions that make a noticeable commitment to addressing gender inequality issues on both individual and structural levels.

The Faculty is one of just six departments across the UK to retain their silver awards from three years ago, meaning that it has made obvious progress in promoting gender equality since its last award in 2012.

The award will last for the next three years and will enable the Faculty to display the Athena Silver SWAN badge, endorsing them as a nationwide leader in gender equality.

The news comes shortly after the University was awarded a charter mark by the same company for its work in recognising and tackling racial inequality.

Awards from the Equality Challenge Unit are widely regarded as some of the most valuable

recognitions that an institution can receive with regards to challenging various social injustices.

Sarah Dickinson, Head of Equality at Equality Challenge Unit, said: “In an ever changing higher education landscape, we realise that participating in the charter is a significant undertaking, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all those who participated for their demonstrable commitment to tackling gender inequality.”

Understandably, the award was well-received within the Faculty of Life Sciences.

Amanda Bamford, Associate Dean for Social Responsibility within the Faculty, and Chair of the Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team, said: “I am really thrilled with this award, which recognises the efforts made across the Faculty to ensure a supportive working environment for all of our staff.

“The award reflects an enormous amount of work and commitment to provide the most progressive and supportive environment possible for career development and work-life balance in the Faculty. We strive to develop a culture of fairness, opportunity, flexibility, and respect.

“We want to be a beacon in gender equality so there is no pausing in our efforts especially since

we are now working towards our Athena SWAN Gold award!”

These thoughts were echoed

by Hema Radhakrishnan, Deputy Associate Dean for Social Responsibility in the Faculty.

“We are delighted to receive the Athena SWAN Silver award that recognises the tremendous effort from the Faculty of Life Sciences towards advancing gender equality amongst staff and students.

“Even though we are a long way forward from the Suffragette movement, women are still more likely to be discouraged from pursuing careers in Science, Engineering and Technology than men.

“Women who do take interest in these subjects often progress in their careers at a rate that is slower than their male counterparts.

“Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science.

“This Silver award shows that we as a faculty are working hard to reduce the gender gap and the efforts taken by the faculty are benefiting women and individuals with caring responsibilities.”

The award will be presented at a special ceremony in the coming months.

Rossy Natale Science Reporter Five current University of Salford students have been awarded research grants to study childhood cancer treatments.

Undergraduates Louise Chan, Parham Manouchehri, Zakia Zia, Liam Dey and David Scannali all study at the University’s Department of Environment and Life Sciences.

The five students will carry out childhood cancer research projects in the upcoming academic year as part of the university’s industrial placement scheme.

Each student has been given £2000 by Kidscan, a Salfordbased children’s cancer re-

search charity, to cover any laboratory costs including chemicals and equipment.

They will be supervised by senior members of the Biomedical Science Research Centre for the duration of the year-long projects.

The number of placements that have been funded is a record for the charity.

Kidscan, which was founded in 2002, works to develop new and improved cancer treatments specifically aimed at children. The organisation funds research into drug treatments and support schemes for children battling cancer.

The treatments are developed to be just as effective as those undergone by adults, but without as many side effects that

could be particularly harmful for children, both physically and mentally.

Dr David Pye, Scientific Director at Kidscan, said: “We have been extremely impressed by the innovative areas of research that this year’s placement students are now able to pursue.

“It’s exciting to be able to provide these talented students with a way to grow and develop their skills, whilst also exploring important new areas of research into childhood cancer treatments.

“We are only able to provide opportunities for the cancer researchers of the future because of the support we receive from fundraisers.

“We thank them wholeheartedly for making this possible.”

Image: Kidscan

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Global 7

ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

In the news this week...

The important and interesting stories from the wider world this week.

Stories by: Charlie Spargo, Marcus Johns, Andy van den Bent-Kelly, William Brown, & Jenny Sterne

Mass shooting in US college Oregon, USA In the 45th school and college shooting of 2015, a 26-year-old gunman killed students and staff at the Umpqua Community College, Oregon.

Ten are dead, including the shooter, and seven more were injured. Three of these remain in a critical condition.

Reports say that the gunman was asking people their religion before shooting them.

President Obama, in a particularly emotional and passionate speech broadcast on national TV, said that mass shootings had “become routine.

“We’ve become numb to this.” He then re-stated his desire for gun control following this event, a position that divides opinion drastically in the USA.

Car smoking ban comes into force England & Wales A ban on smoking in vehicles while children are present has come into effect in England & Wales.

From the 1st of October, it is no longer permissible to be smoking when there is an under-18 in the car, even if the windows and sunroof are open.

Those who break this rule will have to pay a £50 fine. This rule, however, does not apply to e-cigarettes, or in convertible cars with the roof down.

As yet, this ban does not apply to those in Scotland. The Scottish Parliament is considering bringing similar regulations into law within the year.

Anzac day terror plot teen given life

United Kingdom A British teenager who attempted to organise a plot to behead Australian police officers on Anzac Day has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

An unnamed defendant, who was 14 years old at the time, pleaded guilty to inciting terrorism at Manchester Crown Court this year.

He was sentenced to life with a minimum of five years detention, by a judge last week.

Thought to be the youngest convicted terrorist in the UK, the teenager planned an attack at a parade in Australia on the 25th of April last year.

He tried to convince a Melbourne man to behead the officers at the parade, and had previously threatened to cut his teacher’s throat, according to reports.

Had the attack not been thwarted, a number of people would have died, it was stated in court.

No more free plastic bags England As of Thursday the 1st of October, all large stores and supermarkets in England will charge 5p for a plastic bag, in the hope that wastage will go down as people reuse bags.

This is already the case in the rest of the United Kingdom, and only applies to shops with more than 250 employees.

On board trains or at airports this charge will not apply, and it only is the case with plastic, not paper.

It is hoped this will cause an 80 per cent drop in plastic bag use.

Edward Snowden joins Twitter Russia Saying in his description, “I used to work for the government. Now I work for the public”, the most high-profile whistleblower in the world has joined Twitter, from a country where freedom to access social media is widely regarded as limited.

Edward Snowden’s first tweet was “Can you hear me now?” a clear bait to his previous employer the NSA, the only Twitter account Snowden follows. It was retweeted almost 120,000 times.

Under the handle @ Snowden, he then went on to have a conversation with famous American astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson about passport control and being a geek.

He gained 70,000 followers in 30 minutes.

However, he forgot to disable notifications from Twitter, as most famous personalities do, and received 47GB worth of notifications.

“47 gigs of notifications. #lessonlearned’

UK spends £1.2bn on little-used drone United Kingdom A drone that cost the United Kingdom £1.2 billion is already four years late.

The Watchkeeper drone was ordered in 2005 by defence secretary John Reid. They were described as “key to battlefield surveillance” and the first few were expected to be ready by 2010, and fully operational by 2013. As yet, it will be 2017 at the earliest due to staffing problems and glitches.

A Guardian investigation has showed that they have only seen 146 hours of duty.

In Science this week...

Discovery of water on Mars an “accident” One of the students who helped to confirm signs of water on Mars has admitted that the discovery was a fortunate “accident”. Lujendra Ojha, a PhD student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, is part of a team that recently presented data from a Nasa satellite which showed dark streaks on the surface of the red planet.

These streaks are believed to be linked with periodic flows of water.

“I just happened to have the biggest accident of my life,” he said of the streaks, which he first noted as an undergraduate five years ago.

No taxes, no rights, says royal United Kingdom “I’m a great animal lover and I’m involved in a lot of conservation, but animals don’t have rights. They don’t have bank accounts. They don’t vote. You only have rights if you pay your taxes.”

This is what Princess Michael of Kent, cousin by marriage to both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, has allegedly said at the Henley Literary Festival last week.

Branded “ignorant” by campaigners for animal rights, the comment has also raised apt comparisons with the 23-year period that she lived rent-free in a Kensington Palace apartment, before being pulled up by the government.

Who we fancy based mostly on personal experience Boston, Massachusetts A study carried out at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, has found that the reasons we find ourselves attracted to someone are based more on previous personal experience than genetics, which only turned out to explain a fifth of the reason behind attraction.

A multitude of reasons including random encounters, past relationships, and friends made in the past, all significantly affect our choice of partner.

Even identical twins who had grown up together disgareed over which of the options they were shown was more attractive.

The study found a person could only agree 50 per cent of the time with the majority of others as to whether somebody was attractive to them.

The scientists compared two groups of people, who had chosen between faces on an online application.

They also looked in more detail at the identical twins.

Comparing the two groups’ answers gave them the results of how much someone’s genetics contribute to who they find attractive.

£10,000 of cannabis crushes dog house Arizona, USA A 12kg package of marijuana has destroyed a doghouse in Nogales, Arizona after falling from the sky.

The Donnelly family woke one morning to find their garden was fileld with broken wood, and a bundle wrapped in black plastic.

The package had destroyed their German Shepherd, Hulk’s, house, damage that could cost $500 to repair.

Worth $10,000, it is believed the drugs were being smuggled over the US-Mexico border when it fell from a trafficker’s aircraft. Nogales, Arizona is bordered by its sister city Nogales, Mexico to the south.

The Donnelly family have expressed fears that smugglers may come looking for the drugs despite the police stepping up patrols in the neighbourhood.

Local police think it is likely that it fell from a smuggler’s drone or light aircraft.

Chancellor to bring NFL team to London London Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has said getting a London-based american football franchise would be a “real touchdown for London.”

Osborne wants to have a team based in the capital within five years as he would like to cement London as the world’s sporting capital.

He met with powerful names in the NFL to discuss the possibility of setting up the team.

When he met former NFLgreats Curtis Martin and Dan Marino ahead of the Miami Dolphins-New York Jets match at Wembley, he exchanged a Rugby World Cup 2015 ball for a golden NFL Superbowl 50 ball.

Former MP’s interview interrupted by giant spider Glasgow Former Labour MP and transport minister in the Blair administration, Tom Harris, was being interviewed on BBC2’s Daily Politics when a spider crawled across the camera’s lens.

Harris was being interviewed in the BBC’s Glasgow studion on whether new Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn, was doing enough to win back voters north of the border.

They’re getting closer to the point of Scottish politics, which is that the referendum did change everything,” he said.

As he finished speaking, the spider appeared on the screen, taking up an entire quarter. Veteran presenter Andrew Neil reacted, saying, “a rather large insect has moved past you just there, I hope you’re alright. You didn’t see it.”

Man owns google.com for entire minute United States of America An ex-Google employee used Google’s new domainpurchasing service to buy the company’s domain, before the transaction was cancelled a minute later.

Sanmay Ved paid $12, or £7.90, for www.google.com on new service Google Domains at 1:30am and managed to get hold of the domain.

He thought it was an error but he managed to reach checkout on the site. One minute after, the company contacted him directly, telling him his purchase had failed as someone had bought the domain before him.

Taller people more susceptible to cancer A study by researchers in Sweden has revealed that taller people are more likely to develop cancer than shorter individuals. The scientists concluded that the risk of cancer in women rises by 18 per cent for every 10cm increase in height, whilst the risk for men is 11 per cent. The study analysed data from 5.5 million people born between 1938 and 1991 with a height range of 125cm.

One of the possible explanations given for these findings was that “taller people have a larger number of cells in their bodies which could potentially transform to cancer.”.

The increased risk was found to be greatest for skin cancer, which rises by an astonishing 30% for every 10cm height increase.

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Feature

ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Azeem Ward: The man behind the meme

The Mancunion met Azeem Ward—internet sensation, humble student & Greatest Living Flautist on the Planet—as he continues on his sell-out UK university tour

Azeem Ward in his now-famous pose. Photo: Azeem Ward

Liam Kelly Features Editor It is the end of Freshers’ Week, and there is a real buzz and atmosphere of expectation around the Students’ Union building as a large crowd waits with bated breath.

Surprisingly, this is not the night of Pangaea, but the day before. Even more surprisingly, this sense of expectation surrounds a flautist about to play a gig in Club Academy.

However, this isn’t just any flautist. The flautist in question may well be the most famous in the world right now.

His name is Azeem Ward, a recent music graduate from the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), who has been thrust onto the world stage after thousands of people from the United Kingdom RSVP’d to an event he created on Facebook to promote his final-year recital.

Ward set up the event in order to invite about 600 friends and family, for an event scheduled to take place in the Karl Geiringer concert hall, which has a capacity of just 100.

“The year is coming to an end soon and I will be performing my final senior recital! Please come out and show some support if you can!” he wrote.

“You will hear some beatboxing, jazz and may even see some dancing! Plus there will be some refreshments!”

The recital promised to include works such as Devienne Concerto No. 7, Gaubert Sonata No. 3, and Roitstein’s Flautas, as well as some original compositions.

He left the event page public, so that anyone could confirm their attendance online. His page initially got 70 RSVPs from those he had personally invited. So far, so good—the concert hall would be mostly full.

Little did Ward know that his unique enthusiasm, as well as a now-classic photo of himself, flute nonchalantly slung over his shoulder, was

hugely appealing to those of us on this side of the Atlantic.

Within the space of five days more than 88,000 people—most of whom were from the UK—clicked attending. The sensation led to him being featured in The Independent, Buzzfeed, and even earned him a spot on Jimmy Kimmel Live on US television.

However, the Azeem Ward juggernaut did not stop there, and his 15 minutes of fame were not over yet. Following a successful petition on Change.org, a live stream was set up, where over 55,000 people logged on to watch the recital.

Over 400 people had to be turned away from the 100-capacity venue in California. However, a Durham University student who had flown over 5,000 miles to watch the peformance, was personally saved a seat by Ward.

Ward and his friend and partner Timmy, who is also known as DJ Underbelly, began their tour of the UK at the beginning of September. They are bringing never-before-seen blend of flute and live mixing to the stages of many UK Students’ Unions and campus bars.

On Thursday the 24th of Septmber, Underbelly and Azeem played Squirrels Bar in Owens Park campus. The next day, they came to Club Academy for a gig, from which all the proceeds went to Manchester RAG. Their support artists were the DJs from Fuse FM. I got the chance to have a brief meal with the duo before their performance, and had a chance for a quick interview before they went on stage.

Obviously, I had to ask Ward whether the original flute recital went well.

“I think so.” Ward replies, as if unsure: “I mean, I passed.”

Indeed, the recital was such a resounding success that Ward was able to crowdfund a ticket for himself and Timmy to embark upon their fiveweek tour of UK universities. Before Manchester, he had already played to capacity crowds at St. Andrew’s and Nottingham; and is going to Liver-

pool, Leeds, and elsewhere later in the tour.

Thinking ourselves to have been the first to think up such an innovative and hilarious idea, the organisers of the gig booked a table at Nando’s for Ward, Timmy, and four lucky competition winners, to really reinforce the cultish weirdness of the event. In fact, Azeem had already been ‘treated’ to seven Nando’s meals in the few weeks he’d been in the country.

In true Mancunion fashion, Nando’s had in fact lost our reservation, and we rushed to a nearby Pizza Express. Azeem was not downbeat though, and actually appeared to relish the change of surroundings. Instead of his eighth Nando’s, this would be his first Pizza Express.

“It was good!” he said of Pizza Express, “They had wine there and I ate my pizza and folded it in half—it was really good.”

Alarmingly pressed for time before he was meant to make it on stage, Ward’s exposure to Manchester continued by ushering him onto that Mancunian idol, a Magic Bus, before almost losing our famous guests upstairs. It seemed this may have been the first occasion that Ward had ever been on the top deck of a bus: “When we were on the second level it was quite... magical.”

As our interview finally got underway in the Union building, after all the excitement of dinner and a bus journey—and just minutes before he was due on stage—it seemed only natural to start our interview by asking how Ward felt to potentially be the most famous flautist in the world right now.

“I’m not sure if I’m the most famous, but I guess it’s good,” he replied, bashfully. “How about this—I don’t feel like I’m the most famous flautist in the world.”

Ward comes across as an extremely humble person, one who had absolutely no intention of becoming an internet sensation: “I don’t know many people that do set out to become an Internet sensation—I think it can only be accidental. I just want to be a musician.”

His humility appears not to be the quality his legions of fans appear to value the most. In a poll conducted on the Facebook recital page asking what Ward’s best aspect was, over 1,400 chose to say that he is “a beacon of light in a world otherwise fraught with darkness and despair”.

Aside from being a beacon in the darkness for thousands of Britons, does Ward know why the UK fell in love with him in the way they did?

“Because they’re a great people! But, for real, I think it was just an inside joke from the start, the whole meme and everything just started in the UK.” I suggest that, as the duo’s setlist contains

Darude’s ‘Sandstorm’—a highly popular meme in and of itself, and a song that was requested thousands of times on the initial Facebook event page—is an allusion to Ward’s status as a meme, Timmy confirms that it is “an inside joke between us and the audience, it’s us letting the audience know that we get it, man.”

Refreshingly, the pair remain grounded, and they appear to be under no illusion that their stratospheric ascent to fame in the UK is at least partly something of a joke.

Despite this easy-going nature, they are serious musicians, and they plan to use the immense platform given to them by legions of fans on the internet to forge their way in the hyper-competitive music business.

Ward continues: “Yeah, we’re trying to develop something out of it. What we’re doing is quite niche though, I don’t see many people doing what we’re doing. If you go online you’re not going to find much when you search for flute and DJ.” Timmy went on, “When groups combine electronic music with live instrumentation there’s re-

“We’re trying to develop something out of it... I don’t see many people doing what we’re doing.” ally interesting results.”

The most similar thing to what the pair are doing is a group called New World Sound, who successfully collaborated with grime artist Lethal Bizzle last year. Their track, “Flutes”, charted at number 67 in the UK, demonstrating there is certainly the potential for woodwind dance music here.

Coming on the back of his triumphant free show at Squirrels Bar in Fallowfield the previous evening—where capacity had to be limited to 500 due to the sheer demand for places—tonight’s gig is also a free event, but with donations being taken to raise funds for local homeless shelters.

Ward said he had never seen anything like the scenes in Squirrels, with some members of the audience even crowd surfing.

Photo: The Mancunion

Got an idea for a feature? Come to the Features section meeting on Mondays at 5:30pm in the Students’ Union Activities Space, or email features@mancunion.com and get involved.

Feature 9

ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

The gig at Club Academy cemented Ward’s reputation as the genre-bending cultural behemoth his fans know him to be. His combination of flute classics with Underbelly’s electronic beats—such as a house version of Bolero—as well as covering everyone’s favourite, ‘Sandstorm’, went down an absolute treat with those in attendance, as well as those watching in the Union Bar and online, thanks to Fuse TV’s live stream.

The crowd treated him with more enthusiasm than if they were seeing a world-renowned artist such as Lionel Richie or Metallica, continuing to chant his name between every song of his 45-minute set.

After the runaway success of his UK tour, is a tour back home in the offing for Ward? “We would love to do that, but we don’t have the big fan base like we do here. Like, if we went to Texas it would be like: ‘who the fuck is Azeem?’”

Indeed, how does he even explain this bizarre sensation to those who are close to him at home?

“They’re kinda confused by it—they always ask if I’m famous now—and I’m like, ‘kind of.’ People definitely don’t know about it as much as they do here, it’s much different with you guys for some reason, and I don’t know what reason it is.”

Does Ward know who the initial figure was that led to his event blowing up? And, if he does know who it was, would he shake their hand or slap them in the face?

“I don’t know exactly who it was, I just remember the first guy sharing it, and his name was Damon Cole. But yeah, I’d give him a nice hug.”

And, finally, what does the future hold for Ward?

“The future… I want to do more recording in the future, more gigs like this, teaching, composing, producing. Hopefully we’ll see an album soon.”

It appears that there is no shortage of fans in the UK ready to gratefully receive anything Ward releases.

“They were born ready.”

Photo: The Mancunion

Preview: Black History Month

Benjamina Dadzie, the Black & Minority Ethnic Students Officer at the University of Manchester Students’ Union, explains why a campaign like Black History Month remains so vital, and why all students should get involved.

In the UK, October marks Black History Month, a month of events run by the Black & Minority Ethnic Students campaign group to educate, empower and celebrate Black History.

Essentially, following a long history of certain socio-political circumstances it has happened that black people have long been in a social position without privilege and without equality. Lots of students come out of school with very bad experiences of being in a social environment that does not fully accept them, and this has an adverse effect on their performance. This campaign is sometimes mistaken for a society. It’s a campaign, just like any other activism campaign.

The aim of this campaign is to make sure that students have an enjoyable experience at university.

We’re talking about students of African, Caribbean, Latino and Asian heritage. BME MCR are a mediator between the students and the university through the Students’ Union. So, if black students face difficulties or hate crimes, or do not feel fully included in the university system, or its social aspects, you just come to the Union and talk to someone like me.

We facilitate the integration of black students: that’s why we have a black students’ campaign. But it’s not just about all the sad stuff; it’s also a social space, where we will celebrate and empower our history, identity and culture. We want to educate people, and this goes for all students.

However, that is not to say that we only look at Black History in October: rather, we have allocated the month of October to spread awareness about black culture, black history, and black identity.

This is why we do all these activities: to introduce to people what it means to be black in academia, to explain what race is and the politics of race, and to shed light on Islamophobia.

It’s a platform to introduce people to this, and to question themselves–How do I relate to this? How does my behaviour affect my black mate? How does my lecturer having difficulty pronouncing his name affect him? This is why we do this. Ultimately, we are raising awareness of the issues that matter, so that everyone understands.

All events are open to all students, and also to people of the wider Manchester community. So, even if you are not a student here, you can come to the events, share and understand together. I see a lot of students who see ‘black’ and go ‘Oh, no thanks, I’m white’. We would like to see that change.

It’s understandable that some people see a black students’ campaign and say: ‘Hey! What about a white students’ campaign?’ However, there are structures of power and social dynamics that make this campaign possible that wouldn’t make a white students’ campaign possible.

It is hard for white students to relate to disenfranchisement, and that’s another reason why we do this. I’ve had a lot of conversations with friends and

it’s difficult to be in a position where you feel like ‘I can’t do anything, because I’m not a part of it’. It’s not like a club we have compiled–it’s about trying to help each other.

You coming to one of the events gives you the opportunity to learn something new, and learning something new means you can react positively when a person of colour is being subjected to difficulty.

You can get involved by coming around, chatting, understanding, and then ultimately applying this in everyday life. When we did our meet and greet after the Freshers’ Fair last week, we had a few students coming over to ask and understand about what cultural appropriation was. And that made me extremely happy, because I thought, ‘Thank god!’ People are really interested in understanding so they can help and understand how their contribution is meaningful.

You don’t have to be black to be involved, genuinely. I actually think having non-black students involved in the campaign will really push the campaign forward, because I understand that me going to white students and telling them to come and join the black students’ campaign might not be the best approach. But, if we have a white counterpart explaining the meaning of what we do, it would be so much more impactful.

I grew up in Italy and when I came to England to study I was stunned. Italy is an extremely racist country and when I came to England I thought, ‘Oh my god!’ In this country we tolerate and embrace so much diversity. Here, people really build on culture and diversity.

I realised that I had been suffering from unconscious racism without even knowing it. Racist behaviour was normal to me, and then I found out what it means to be black.

2015 has already been an historic year in Manchester, as it saw Lemn Sissay elected Chancellor of the University, and Naa Acquah elected General Secretary of the Students’ Union Executive Team.

I think at Manchester we are so, so much better, but obviously there is always room for improvement.

This year has been absolutely amazing, because now we have outlets to actually start a conversation about what it means to be black, both at the University and at the Union.

We can ask: Does being black diminish your ability to be a Chancellor or a General Secretary? How does your race and social position influence your power within society? I think it’s great because now we have the chance to have this conversation. We can talk about things, raise the problem if there is any, and ultimately find a solution. I think we are doing as much as we can, and we’re doing pretty good.

Black History Month runs throughout the month of October, and full details of every event will be updated on the BME MCR Facebook page at: facebook.com/BMEMCR.

This week’s events Monday 05 October, 17:00 – 18:30, Council Chambers, Students’ Union Discussion Forum – History This is an opportunity for BME Students to discuss topics such as race, identity and culture.

Tuesday 06 October, 17:30 – 19:00, Location TBC The Politics of Race Dr Sivamohan Valluvan will be presenting on the topics drawing of his research interests which lie in race and ethnicity, nationalism, urban inequality, social theory and political philosophy.

Wednesday 07 October, 17:00 – 21:00, Club Academy University of Manchester and Students’ Union’s Black History Local Historian Dominique Tressier (Café Historique) will take us through The University of Manchester and the Students’ Unions involvement with BME individuals and groups, from anti-apartheid campaigning to visiting heads of state. She will also tie in the city of Manchester and a short tour may take place.

Thursday 08 October, 17:30 – 19:00, Room 8, Students’ Union Know Your Rights The statistics are there. BME People have always and will continue to be targeted by the police. This workshop will be open to everyone and will cover topics such as your rights during protest and how stop and search are conducted. Know Your Rights workshop will be conducted by Simon Pook and Green and Black Cross.

Opinion

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The Cultural Appropriation Game A humorous look at cultural a p p ro p r i at i o n and Pangaea Festival through the eyes of Elliott Mills.

If Cicero

At this year’s Freshers edition of the Pangaea Festival, many people were disappointed to discover that cultural appropriation was kicked off the bill.

After it was revealed that the theme of Pangaea would encourage people to dress up in Native American attire, such as the outfit of Tiger Lily from the well-known tale of Peter Pan, the festival then issued a statement prohibiting such practice.

They claimed that the culturally insensitive nature of such a costume simply made it offbounds. Worse still, this catastrophe was compounded when rumours suggested that, whilst cultural appropriation would not attend, Example would.

I was keen to get some feedback from those students who were going to the festival on the news that borrowing cultures was off limits this year. I took to the streets and the responses were mixed. Some said that this move from the festival’s organisers was not only sensible but necessary, because it halted the act of dominant cultures using strategic anti-essentialism to steal from minority cultures that have been historically subordinated. Others claimed that the proposed fantasy and boundless exploration, as well as expression of the costume theme in question, undermined the notion that cultural appropriation could even be applied within this hermetic and unique situation. On the other hand, one student simply told me that he was gutted that cultural appropriation was banned because ‘they were sick at warehouse project’ when he last saw them.

It is difficult to know where exactly to stand on this issue really, but with this semester’s ‘Dress Up As Your Favourite Childhood Minority character’ social just around the corner, it seems as though the fun police are sure to be back before long.

ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Did Britain botch its defence budget?

Adam Merrill examines whether our defence budget really does support our troops.

On 22nd of September 2015, Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary of State, delineated the government’s view of the ‘strategic context’ of the United Kingdom’s defence plan to a packed audience at the Royal United Services Institute. Fallon outlined the basis of the new Strategic Defence and Security Review, one of the most important defence plans since the Falklands conflict, which will summarise how Britain sees itself in the world, along with any potential threats to the United Kingdom.

In this speech he emphasised the UK’s commitment to annually spend 2 per cent of GDP on defence until the end of the present Parliament, which would allow the development of new capabilities along with the sustaining existing levels of manpower and capability. Fallon also mentioned that the SDSR would look ahead ‘ten years and beyond’ with a properly funded equipment plan, and ‘multi-national solutions’ in terms of defence equipment procurement and operational commitment.

The speech was succinct, but not particularly revealing. However, with close to 40 wars around the globe, and British troops currently deployed in 80 countries for one security/peacekeeping capacity or another, it is perhaps wise to have some sort of plan on Britain’s place in the world as a middling global power. Only last week, David Cameron announced that up to 300 UK soldiers would soon be deployed in South Sudan and a further 70 in Somalia to aid the United Nations peacekeeping forces.

With several regional wars in the Middle East; large parts of the African continent being subject to conflict and repression; an increasing militarisation of territorial disputes in the South China Sea and

conflicts in Eastern Europe involving a resurgent Russia, the case for an urgent defence review has never been clearer.

In reality, the 2 per cent of GDP commitment means little. Why? The Ministry of Defence is seemingly incapable of procuring equipment that does what it is supposed to do at the price that was supposed to be paid—such as the F35, whose costs have more than doubled (now £154m per plane), and whose arrival is 4 years late to go onto aircraft carriers that have cost twice the original estimations— there is little to suggest that the 2 per cent GDP will have any effect on sustaining existing levels of manpower, equipment and capability.

Just like the 2010 SDSR, the 2 per cent GDP target tells us that the government is again fixating on an arbitrary objective as a means of measuring defence spending for the simple reason that it becomes the objective of defence policy.

Similar to the NHS targets that saw ‘hello nurses‘ being deployed to treat A&E targets, the danger is that defence policy becomes fixated on meeting a single erratic target that has no relation to actual needs. For example, ethical debate of the Libyan intervention aside, the fact that during the 2011 operation, HMS Westminster was reportedly carrying just four missiles for its Sea Wolf System while operating close to the North African coast, is frankly worrying when considering the fact that this system was the primary self-defence weapon to be used if attacked by the Libyan air force.

Moreover, the RAF used 230 Brimstone missiles and 900 Paveway IV bombs, both of whose stocks came perilously close to running out, which highlights how small the inventories must have been in the first place. To give some perspective, the entire UK inventory of Brimstone and Paveway

IV would have been sufficient to destroy the equipment of only one out of the dozens of Iraqi armoured brigade during the liberation of Kuwait in the 1991 Gulf War. Those armoured brigades weren’t exactly the modern and efficient fighting formations that we would expect from

“In the past decades British troops have been sent to warzones illequipped and underfunded” today’s potential adversaries.

To hit the 2 per cent GDP target, clever sums will be deployed to ensure that the UK meets its aim, and we can already see this with costs being shuffled and elements qualifying as defence when they hadn’t previously—like fuel transfers and facility rental to allies, both of which will be maximised in order to hit the target.

Looking at the summer budget of 2015, this can be seen with the shuffling of defence finances, which outlined that, ‘Allowing for all of the public spending that supports the Ministry of Defence and the contribution made by the secret intelligence agencies, this Budget commits the government to meet the properly-measured NATO pledge to spend 2 per cent of national income on defence every year of this decade.’

Many questions can arise here. What do they mean by public spending that

‘supports’ the MoD—is that simply another way of saying the MoD’s budget, or something else? Secondly, ‘the contribution made by the secret intelligence agencies’ raises many problems. Since it is referring to MI5, MI6 and GCHQ, what does ‘contribution’ from them actually mean?

Is it inclusive of MI5’s budget on counterespionage and organised crime, or just a proportion of MI5’s costs, that are devoted to counter-terrorism, to be used to prop up the 2 per cent target?

Even before the summer budget announcements, the MoD was ‘invited’ to save £500m through ‘efficiency savings’, which resulted in the MoD’s £450m contribution to the joint MoD/FCO/DFiD ‘Conflict Stability and Security Fund’ (previously the Global Conflict Prevention Pool) to be included in the official definition of defence spending. Even the most devout pacifist should be concerned by these unnoticed shifts in definitions of defence equipment spending.

Lastly, in the past decades, British troops have been sent – ill-equipped and underfunded – to myriad warzones, often having to buy their own clothing and equipment to complete their tasks. During the Iraq war in 2003, 55 per cent of soldiers and 42 per cent of officers bought their own combat trousers, jackets, sleeping bags, torches and even boots. More recently in Afghanistan, soldiers have lacked basic equipment during training for operations, including the vital “Vallon” metal detectors that are used for seeking out improvised explosive devices.

If Britain is to be considered a serious military power, these incredibly basic problems must be addressed before any arbitrary targets to proportions of GDP and commitments to expensive equipment projects are made.

Censorship is the enemy of change With a spate of high-profile attempts by governments to censor media outlets such as newspapers and televisoon, Ed John critically assesses our issue with the graphic truth.

It is without doubt, as we are constantly told, that we now live in the ‘information age’. With a click of a button, or the swipe of a finger, we can now access, share and follow more stories, content and information from across the world than previous generations could have ever imagined.

However, as the age old maxim goes, with great power comes great responsibility.

And as we continue in our race to becoming an all knowing, all seeing population, we have also become a part of an extremely divisive and important debate: Should the information and media we consume so readily be censored and vetted when it comes to violent and graphic content?

As is often the case, this debate is rarely black and white. Of course, certain forms of censorship are ostensibly necessary. For example, the use of a television watershed and various forms of film classification boards are in place to avoid unsuitable content being easily accessed by children.

However, when it comes to the news outlets and mass media targeted at mature audiences, is such policy really suitable?

We now live in what seems to be an ever increasingly violent world. Perpetual and impossible conflicts rage everywhere from the Middle East to the streets of our own country, as well as those of the US. The Guardian’s organisation, The Counted, is a relatively new project dedicated to officially counting the number of people killed by police in the United States. It has recently reported 872 victims of police killings, while thousands of miles away children and innocent people are continually being bombed out of existence

in the name of foreign policy.

And yet, although we are aware of what is occurring, are we ever truly shown the extent of such events? Are we ever truly aware of, and empathetic to, the effects that they have on those involved? As a British citizen born and raised in a time of relative stability, I would argue that I am far from either truly aware of their struggles, or empathetic to them—and censorship is to blame.

rushed to report on it—many using the footage obtained from the news crew in their coverage. However, rather than recognising this as further evidence against the United State’s failure of gun control policy—a policy that allowed a man with a diverse history of mental illness to legally obtain a concealable firearm, many viewers instead took to social media to attack the use of the footage. Consequently, many organisations withdrew the footage,

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

In August of this year, two journalists working for local US news organisation WDBJ were shot and killed on camera whilst reporting and filming a segment on the anniversary of the building of a local man-made lake. Not only were the deaths caught on the footage filmed by the news crew themselves but also were also filmed by the attacker on his smartphone.

As news of this attack broke, both domestic and international broadcasters

along with that taken by the gunman himself, from their reports on the attacks, again leaving it to the presenters to verbally recount a less offensive and ‘more suitable’ account of the events.

With stories such as these, it is often difficult to justify the use of such footage.

After all, it is undeniably heartbreaking for the families of these victims to have to relive that tragic day through their television sets and smartphones. Yet, is it

not more of higher importance to give the public a first-hand account of how their government’s policies are directly leading to the deaths of innocent people?

Perhaps closer to home is the current humanitarian crisis occurring across Europe with the mass migration of hundreds of thousands of mainly Syrian asylum seekers. Again, although the majority of us are aware of what is occurring, we’re not truly aware of the gravity of the situation. Similar to the footage of the WDBJ shootings, many major media outlets were condemned for publishing a particularly upsetting photo of drowned infant refugee Aylan Kurdi.

However, despite some claiming the use of the image was ‘crass’ and ‘narcissistic’, we could surely use this as evidence in favour of an uncensored media. With the powerful realisation of the true plight of those seeking refuge, many took to both the internet and the streets to show support and solidarity.

It is such images that allow us to understand the true nature of the world in which we live. It is such graphic content that can enable mass protest and movements against atrocities such as those seen during the US invasion of Vietnam, famously sparked by the distressing work of wartime photographers such as Nick Ut. Graphic content may be harrowing and it may be hard to swallow but without it, we would not only be unaware of the reality of the world we live in but we would be swallowing a far more dangerous and damaging lie too. We can’t hide the truth in order to cling to the idea that our world is not in need of change.

Opinion11

ISSUE 3 / 5th October 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Racism: the unwanted generational gift?

Deborah Asamoah objectively examines the root of racism in society and where prejudice is learned.

One thing that I find striking about racism is the way in which, despite the tremendous efforts to try and combat it, prejudice and discrimination towards other races continue to circulate in our society. This leads me to question exactly what we really know when thinking about the root of the problem. Perhaps, our lack of knowledge regarding the subject is what is holding us back from doing more in the fight against racism. Yes we are aware of what it is, and the effects it has had on millions of people throughout history. But the real question is, where does racism come from? It is my belief that if we figure out the origins of racism, this could perhaps lead us to discover the origins of the problem altogether.

Moroccan writer Tahar Ben Jelloun has said “We are not born racist, we become it.” Clearly this statement holds a high degree of truth; racism is not genetic, therefore we are not born with feelings of hatred and prejudice for another race. There is no gene in our DNA that makes us discriminate, enslave and alienate other humans of a different race in the same way that there is a gene that allows us to develop a particular eye colour. With that being said, understanding that racism isn’t a biological attribute suggests that such behaviours that invoke us to hurl racist insults or harm another human being because of their skin colour or religious background, must stem from our environment. That is to say that we are taught and therefore learn to be racist.

Very rarely do we see a young child demonstrating racist behaviour of their own accord. Studies by the psychologist John Bowlby

show that an infant’s first natural instinct is to desire security and a loving attachment from its caregiver. Note the word—loving. If that is the case, and racism is a learned behaviour, from whom is this behaviour learned from? Some may argue parents. As it is usually said, our parents are our first teachers. They teach us to differentiate right from wrong; most times without even realising it. Children find it natural to imitate what they see in order to learn how to do things. Children

Another study by Albert Bandura in the 1960s on social learning theory, shows that children were more likely to act violent towards an inflatable bobo doll after watching the adult treat the doll in a violent manner. I find it rather chilling that children pick up incorrect behaviours as fast as they do with the correct ones, and that once they are learned they are quite difficult to reverse. This leads to me to understand why something as pitiful and degrading as racism, and the discrimination

Photo: United Nations Photo @ Flickr

follow adult behaviour because they deem it to be correct, even when this is not always the case.

These behaviours are imitated and engrained in the child’s mind as the ‘right thing to do.’

and hatred it projects has continued to remain in our society all these years. Children are taught, by the older generation, to follow false ideals that treat racism as normal, where distinguishing the

How do we counter extremism?

They now call themselves IS, but you probably know them as ISIS. They are best known for the release of incredibly violent videos in which their enemies–journalists, combatants, non-believing civilians–are maimed, tortured, or executed. IS: the group deemed too brutal for al-Qaeda (albeit for political reasons).

IS are a group dedicated to violent offensive jihad (struggle) against non-believers, and they are strict literalists in their beliefs. They are becoming a potent force not just in the ideological discourse, but in the world of international relations too. As the group has moved and expanded, its influence has sunk deeper, transforming from an external threat to a state-like institution: running schools, providing insurance, and enforcing laws.

Far from being a hidden group of bandits in the desert or the mountains, IS and their leaders find themselves in control of cities, the most influential being Raqqa in Syria, and Mosul in Iraq. Crossing this threshold from outlaws to lawgivers has solidified them as a threat impossible to ignore.

A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter near Mosul, Iraq. Photo: Troy Enekvist @Flickr

“IS and their leaders find themselves in control of cities, the most influential being Raqqa in Syria, and Mosul in Iraq.”

This is no longer a fringe group. IS is a major threat in the Arab region, and unlike other groups we don’t have to guess what it would do if it had power: we know. IS kidnaps and trains children to be fighters in its war and will continue to do so. Millions of lives are already ruined and will continue to be. What are we doing about it, and is it enough?

Many of the squeamish left, either out of fear of repercussions or genuine care for the implications of extreme violence, show resistance to military intervention being part of the solution. This response, while shared by myself, might not be entirely helpful or the best practice.

Would we say now that we did the wrong thing by going to war with Germany and the Axis forces?

Ben Farren Contributor If they had kept attacking and attacking does it at some point become self-defence? When does signing mutual defence agreements with allies not supersede moral aversion to violence? These are incredibly difficult questions with tough answers.

Our government has been part of a coalition which has undertaken air strikes in Iraq against IS targets. These air strikes have, according to experts, not been enough to have any real effect. Far fewer strikes have taken place in Iraq than occurred in the NATO strikes in Yugoslavia, an intervention regarded as somewhat successful in relation to others.

Ostensibly to stop genocide, this quick bombing campaign killed about 500 civilians, and if a proportionate number were attached to the conflicts in the Middle East I’m quite sure they would face considerably less criticism. One may quite fairly take the view that 1 civilian death is too many, but some find it hard to justify a hands off, non-interventionist approach to genocide.

The situation in the Middle East may well escalate to this. We must think hard about long-term solutions to these problems including the focus on the education of women, of children, and of the implementation of legitimate and widely recognised democracy.

Far from the turbulence of the Middle East, we and our government have a responsibility to protect our citizens from terrorism. From the UK, 1500 people are suspected to have joined IS in order to fight, or to support the fight. The question is: how do we stop them?

The government’s effort for counter-terrorism is called CONTEST, which features four strands: Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare. The first of these intends to, believe it or not, prevent terrorism. This is by far the most difficult strand to get right and is the one which has faced the most criticism.

Someone who is determined to go and join the fight in Syria or Iraq after seeing IS videos is someone who may not be within the purview of Prevent.

Indeed a far more achievable and worthwhile task might be to start younger. As Deborah Asamoah’s piece explains in the article above, racism does not seem to be naturally prevalent in small children, nor I would wager is violent hatred and fear of ‘the other’.

Schools are a great place to teach children about fundamental human values like respect and dignity, which come irrespective of religion or ideology.

A problem may arise where they hear this message at school, alongside a very different one at home or

differences between each other is done by making the other race feel inferior. This corresponds to the way that children in the experiment felt it necessary to imitate the incorrect behaviours carried out by the researcher. This is why, despite all the measures taken by societies to rid themselves of racism, it remains. These flawed principles are carried on from one generation to the next and as a result pollute the minds of the youth. In my eyes, racism will continue as long as it is allowed to happen, and younger generations continue to accept these wrongs as truth and thus the devastations caused by racism will not cease.

One particular devastation that stands out to me, and can show how racism can be passed to younger generations, is the conflict between Israel and Palestine. What is underlying amongst the dispute is the discrimination that they both project towards each other. While they continue to attack each other, what is more evident is the way in which the future of the youth is being destroyed in the process. This saddens me, and makes me wonder if the parents that sustain this conflict realise this.

Finally, I do see a sliver of hope in younger generations, where racism is not as apparent as it was in their parents’ and grandparents’ generations. If we, as intelligent, open minded, young individuals reject these ideals then perhaps, it is a step in the right direction towards a brighter future where racism is left behind.

What issues has the rise of IS brought to the forefront of Western strategy?

from friends. This problem is shared by Muslims, Christians and all other religious or spiritual groups.

No matter which values are taught to you in school, your home environment is irreproducible. For any subject matter; economics, religion, cultural norms, or technological advancement, generational gaps are prevalent, and it can be very difficult to challenge an unspoken status quo.

For example, my mother always finds it baffling that the parents of these young people who go to Syria just didn’t seem to know what was going on, had no inkling that their kid was about to join the most overtly brutal terrorist group in the world.

If we start talking to Year 7s and 8s about these issues in the hope that they will be our first generation to have zero extremists, we will not know until they are of age. The Prevent strategy started in 2011; these 12-year-olds will turn 20 in 2019, so how can we pass any meaningful judgement until then? The only hope is a long term change to hearts and minds so these problems of extremism are no longer ignored–a colossal task perhaps too difficult for Theresa May, or any Home Secretary.

As is evident, we have to talk about and consider

“From the UK, 1500 people are suspected to have joined IS in order to fight, or to support the fight.

The question is: how do we stop them?” these matters carefully, walking the tightropes of Islamophobia, fact and opinion, such as quelling the myths of assuming the majority of Muslims are terrorists, and the majority of terrorists are Muslims.

Sometimes people talk to each other with very different assumptions about the nature of problems, and conflicts bubble up therein which are difficult to resolve. We must avoid this.

If the IS problem is to be “solved” there will be multiple prongs in the solution, and they will be held by many people. A solution must be found, but this is difficult to fit into one press release, one newspaper article, or one government programme: Complex problems require complex solutions.

Music

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ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Feature

Opinion

the Opinion

Photo: Steve Berryman@flickr

Writing’s on the Wall: A Bond theme for our times

There’s no risk, no danger, no point - and it’s no surprise.

Henry Scanlan Music Editor Call it a thin argument, but I see Sam Smith as a product of our very well-covered culture of oversharing (see Cecilia Bicknell’s piece in last week’s edition, now online). His music is a needy Facebook status in want of a like. There’s nothing interesting about saying how sad you are unless your sadness is interesting.

Everywhere you look in Smith’s lyrics, his misery is pitiful: “you let me down”; “stay with me”; “set my midnight sorrow free”. He’s the archetypal tortured, wallowing genius, but without the ‘genius’ part, and certainly without even the slightest hint of danger. Ipso facto: could Sam Smith BE any less Bond?

Modern James Bond films have been a mixed bag, but the title tracks have remained consistent. Jack White’s entry for Quantum of Solace was a snarling clanger. Madonna’s 2002 contribution for Die Another Day was lambasted despite being, for all intents and purposes, a classic. It was an artistic risk, a renovation of formula, and it reflected the garage and hyper-glitch pop sensibilities of its time. One thing I can say for ‘Writing’s on the Wall’ is that it does absolutely reflect today’s pop sensibilities, at least in attitude: it’s the kind of chameleonic, middle-ground slush that might as well be printed money. Macbook strings elope over plinking keys as Smith coos in vibrato falsetto: “How do I live? How do I breathe?

When you’re not here I’m suffocating I want to feel love”

This mawkish approach is just about fathomable in the context of our times. Unlike the emotionally stunted Bonds of days past, a modern James Bond allows the stiff upper lip to tremble. Even so, the appointment of Smith, who sounds permanently on the edge of quivering meltdown, has to be a step too far. The best Bond singers have always been puffchested and egotistical, with just that hint of vulnerability that makes all the most interesting heroes seem human. Smith has a vulnerable side alright, but because he’s a one dimensional singer, that’s his only side.

Again, I can’t resist making a mountain of a molehill, but here goes: the new James Bond theme is in keeping with the gross sentimentalisation of so much of today’s British culture.

It brings to mind the banning of ‘racist’ sombreros from a Mexican restaurant, or the BBC’s sanctimonious coverage of the refugee crisis, or the rise of the Green Party. It brings to mind the blunting of an edge and the replacement of substance with emotion. In short: can we have the old, crass, womanizing Bond back please? ‘Writing’s on the Wall’ may be just another Bond song, but it’s also another step towards a pop culture of playing it safe and obvious for maximum returns. And lo and behold, as if by magic, it’s gone straight to number one.

So the Bond series, having already hijacked the foghorn hyperbole of Christopher Nolan films and the gritty realism of the Bourne franchise, is now hijacking the maudlin radio filler of the X Factor.

“The name is Bland. James Bland.”

…Yuck!

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

the

Interview Wolf Alice

Jacob Bernard-Banton flags down the NME hype train and finds Wolf Alice more chilled than their meteoric rise may suggest The radiator in their green room may be spraying water everywhere, but it seems Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell (vocals, guitar) and Joff Oddie (guitar) seem cool despite high pressure. They’ve been the ‘next big things’ for some time now, yet only released their debut My Love is Cool earlier this year. That’s down to the strength of the songs from their early EPs and their enthusiastic live shows. Indeed, Ellie admits that they’ve “not just had instant success”.

“We owe a lot to the bands that have taken us on tour with them,” she says.

Nowadays, it seems new bands are required to put out as much material as possible, but Ellie prefers her band’s approach. “We waited quite a long time to release an album,” she says, and only did so “because we wanted to release to an album.” The NME’s rave review of the album called it “easily the debut of the decade so far”, praise that any new band wants to hear, but what do they make of it? “Never a truer word spoken,” Joff deadpans gamely. “No, it’s very flattering,” he continues, “I don’t know whether it’s true at all.” “It’s not really our place to say if it’s true or not,” offers Ellie. However, she is adamant that they won’t be intimidated by people’s huge expectations. “It doesn’t change how you perform or how you write,” she affirms. “We’d never change under pressure.” If anything, it’s “a kind of healthy pressure to push you to get even better…an extra nudge.”

The two of them are splendid company

“everyone calls every band with a guitar in it ‘nineties’...W hat did they call them in the nineties? …70s fucking wannabes?”

The Litmus Test

Follow up or fall apart?

Rob Paterson rates sophomore albums from hot to not.

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly

To match ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D city’ is impressive, but to make the narrative of the difficult second album an integral part of the work is downright genius.

and resolutely chilled. Joff is funny and laidback, intermittently dispensing with jokes and absent-mindedly strumming his guitar. Ellie is quietly spoken, curling up on the sofa, and maintains eye contact throughout the interview.

They become more animated when talk turns to whether there’s an antipop snobbery in indie. “You should just like what you like, you really shouldn’t feel guilty,” is Joff’s reply. “There’s no place for snobbery in music,” Ellie says.

“Absolutely not.” “It is a bit gross, isn’t it?” Joff adds. Ellie delivers a withering aside: “It is a bit sixth-form college.” They obviously take a dim view of musical tribalism, particularly when it comes to dance music. “I think good dance music is as good as any guitar music or any other type of music,” Joff says. “You look at people like Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, Squarepusher…that takes a musical genius to do that.”

The conversation segues into comments Ellie made about their album being “100 per cent not a grunge record” that the NME, inevitably, ran with. “I should’ve probably said 90%,” says Ellie.

“They really have milked that quote,” adds Joff. Perhaps it’s evidence of the music press’ peculiar obsession with the past and new bands that sound vaguely like 90s indie guitar groups. “I feel like everyone calls every band with a guitar in it ‘nineties’,” Ellie says. “What did they call everyone that had a guitar in the nineties?” Joff laughs. “…70s fucking wannabes? I remember when Oasis first came out and everyone was like, ‘They’re just trying to be the Beatles’.”

“I don’t even think we make particularly 90s-sounding music,” Ellie continues, “I don’t even know what 90s-sounding music sounds like. It’s just guitar music. Nirvana sounds nothing like Elastica. The reason why I said that

grunge thing was because I didn’t want people who were massive fans of sludgy, fuzzy, Nirvana-esque grunge music to listen to our album and be like, ‘What the fuck? This is shit!’ or…” “‘This is only 20% grunge!’” quips Joff. “I was trying to prepare people,” Ellie admits. “But I love grunge music. I wish I was 100% grunge.”

Altogether, the band seem content to play things their own way. Ellie has said in interviews before that it might take ten years for them to get where they want to be. It is refreshing to hear a band seriously think about longevity when so many indie bands turn up readymade and fully-formed. “Some bands pre-plan their whole marketing strategy,” Ellie says, “and then come out with an EP with a perfect line of press shots lined up and stuff like that: that’s one way to do it. It’s one way we didn’t do it. And I’m actually really glad that we didn’t, because it gives you a certain charm and a certain human quality to just do things wrong.” It seems that being in a band is everything they’ve dreamed of. “It’s different,” says Joff, “but it’s definitely good. It’s definitely still as good as you think it would be, but completely different to how you’d imagine it would be as a kid.” Ellie agrees. “It’s strange how things don’t change in a lot of ways,” she says, before lurching into an anecdote. “You’ll go and play a massive show with all these people singing along to your songs and it’s the most insane experience ever. Then you go home and your mum tells you off for leaving the towel on the floor and you’re like, ‘Wait, what? That shouldn’t still be happening!’

But, it’s nice. I like that.” The way things are going for Wolf Alice – unforeseen levels of success just on the horizon – you can be sure they’ll be admirably unfazed by it all, taking it all in their stride.

Fleet Foxes: Helplessness The Strokes - Room On Blues Fire

SBTRKT - Wonder Where The Stone Roses - The Second Coming We Land

Lusher, braver, more intricate; this is the sound of newfound confidence rather than insecurity.

Somehow, the same ingredients created a rather stodgier metaphorical music cake. Heavy on interludes, light on hooks, the question posed in its name rings true throughout .

“People liked that! Do it again, EXACTLY the same.” A middle of the road sophomore effort for the middle of this list.

Oh Manchester, so much to answer for. You can blame it on legal troubles or the buzz of the Britpop scene, but sadly its weak songs that fail to resurrect past glories.

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ISSUE 4 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Feature

Venue Review: Is the sun going down on the Night & Day Café’s legacy?

Joe Evans discusses The Night & Day Café, which, like so many of Manchester’s gig venues, is trading on the city’s rich heritage Recently, the men’s – but definitely not ladsmag – publication Shortlist decided to feature Manchester. Taking a rare look North of Watford, they described how Manchester was the best place in the UK to be a man. Apparently up here in the North “Tinder swipers on a budget can enjoy £3 (on average) pints,” making it perfect for the male looking to mate.

Putting the most obviously problematic aspects of this to one side, I had another bone to pick with Shortlist. They featured the Night & Day Café as one of Manchester’s cultural highlights.

“Later, I’ll witness a gang of middle-aged dudes turn out some Stone Roses-esque tunes in the Northern Quarter’s Night & Day Café, for the princely sum of £3 a head,” wrote Londoner Sam Rowe. Rowe’s assessment paints an ugly picture of culture in the North, but it’s one that is frighteningly true of so much of Manchester’s cultural pride. It is also one embodied to some extent by a venue like the Night & Day. It could be argued perhaps that this is unfair. It is

still an establishment that champions new music, putting on weekly local showcases for new bands on the rise. That said, the last time I visited a local showcase, having paid more than £3 for a drink, I was treated to a band of men in masks and robes, playing AC/DC-esque rock. Not the Stone Roses – in fact far from it – but also not the cutting edge of new music. While the show was entertaining, there was a sense that the venue was trading on its heritage.

The sound wasn’t great; the stage was poorlylit and the majority of the crowd were there for a drink and seemed inconvenienced by the band playing.

This problem isn’t confined to new-music nights.

A trip back there to review 1960’s influenced mod band The Moons, was met with the same problems, albeit with a bigger crowd of fans.

The sound was too poor to make out individual instruments, and the darkly-lit stage felt tucked away in the corner.

Again, the points that I’m making may be slightly

unfair, given that they can be, and have been, leveled at many of the venues in Manchester by young music fans. Similarly, the Night & Day Café has had to throw off noise complaints from neighbours perturbed by the notion that a 25-year-old music venue might continue to make noise regardless of them living nearby. That said, a sense that the city somewhat trades on its heritage isn’t uncommon, but for many the Night & Day Café most obviously embodies this.

Mythological rememberings of when The Arctic Monkeys sold the place out, coupled with Johnny Marr shooting a music video there, all combine to create a strong sense of nostalgia. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s certainly not what you would expect from a venue known for being a go-to venue for the next big thing.

Upcoming gigs from The Hoosiers and The Ordinary Boys point towards a venue that will outlast most. What they don’t point towards, though, is a venue still massaging the pulsating heart of Manchester’s new music scene.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Review

Live

Joe Connell Contributor

Singles

Unknown Mortal Orchestra 25th September The Ritz

Club: Floating Points 24th September Hidden

8/10

Riding the wave of Manchester’s love for all things disco, Below the Surface and Troupe presented an all-night set from DJ, producer, crate-digger and mad scientist Sam Shepherd PhD, a.k.a. Floating Points. Last year Shepherd released transcendent Feature house banger ‘Nuits Sonores’, one of the biggest records of 2014, and with new album Elaenia due out in November, the Lost In Space opening party provided an opportunity to see a biggerthan-he’s-ever-been Floating Points playing to an audience of bona fide fans.

Much has been said of Shepherd’s varied influences when it comes to his production and DJ sets, and this is something that becomes abundantly clear when watching him play over so many hours. Throughout the night, the set smoothly segued between inventively mixed classic hip-hop and soul into faster, bouncier house and ‘80s disco funk. With a further dash of jazzier numbers and the odd sneaky techno tune, the set frequently hit that characteristic Floating Points sweet spot between diverse musical genres, conveying the sheer depth and breadth of Shepherd’s wax arsenal.

The Floating Points set staples of Daniel Dixon’s ‘Dance Dance’ and Ramsey & Co’s ‘Love Call’ were crowd-pleasing highlights, banishing any disappointment fans might have had about the lack of Floating Points tunes in the mix. However, it was when Shepherd was at his most daring that the night took an interesting turn, setting it apart from Manchester’s usual disco fare. The sight of a room full of people getting down to bizarre saxophoneand-drums fusion and bebop tracks showed a fully developed multi-genre DJ, miles ahead of when he used to mix Basement Jaxx into Pharoah Sanders at school discos. Moments like this overwhelmed the occasional issues with the treble and acoustics in the main room, a price worthy paying for an all-vinyl set of forgotten classics.

Robin Davies Contributor

Rob Paterson digs into this week’s singles and pulls out three very different tracks of wildly varying quality.

7/10

There was almost a feeling of unknowing—no pun intended— amongst the crowd before Unknown Mortal Orchestra took to the stage for the Manchester leg of their current tour. UMO make music that is not always easy to categorise. An often upbeat, psychedelic affair punctuated with pointed guitar passages, the style doesn’t necessarily make it easy to predict what kind of show the band might deliver.

As the lights go down UMO take to the stage amid an excited response from those watching. Frontman Ruben Nielson waves to the audience, beaming. After a slight delay caused by a wayward guitar strap, the band sets off on a swirling intro before launching in to ‘Like Acid Rain’. The crowd responds positively to the enthusiasm, with members of the band embellishing their respective parts to ensure the show does not just become a flat rendition of tracks recorded in the studio.

Throughout UMO’s hour-and-a-quarter set drummer Riley Geare and keyboardist Quincy McCrary are afforded opportunities to perform solo pieces. Lights and spectators focus on them alone—all adding to a passionate show that leads the bouncing onlookers to truly make the most of the Ritz’s infamous sprung dance floor.

Crowd interaction was limited at the start of the show—restricted to a few forays from Nielson to the edge of the stage where he occasionally sat as if to serenade those pressed up to the retaining barriers. A drastic change, however, came during ‘Stage or Screen’ where, leaving the stage with microphone in tow, he waded through the crowd before perching on the bar for most of the song, delivering lines including “act out, but never for stage or screen.” It was a wonderful moment teeming with playful irony on a night where UMO struck a strong balance between showmanship and musical accomplishment.

Photo: Side Stage Collective @Flickr

The Wombats - ‘Emoticons’ from Glitterbug 14th Floor Records Honestly I was hoping for a good rant about middle of the road indie pop here, but it’s been in my head all day. With a disco vibe and washy synths the track screams Phoenix; a significant shift from the scatty guitars we remember of the old Wombats. They wear this new style well and even manage to make me not hate that awful title in the context of the hook. It’s as cute, fluffy and dreamy as their namesakes… Ok, that last comparison is a stretch, but did you know wombats spend ¾ of their lives asleep? Who ever said that music section wasn’t educational.

Isaiah Rashad - ‘Nelly’ from Cilvia Demo Top Dawg Entertainment One of the newer members of the TDE crew, Rashad is considerably more chilled than label mates Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q. Nelly is an R&B jam which slithers through headphones like something dripping wet. It has the sexy swagger of emerging through the steam of a shower stall, but with a paranoid edge; it’s the sort of place you wash and feel less clean afterwards. Rashad’s voice mumbles, half rapping, half singing, over downtempo organ, with something sounding like the flail of an industrial chain echoing in the background. The lyrics on the other hand are decidedly hopeful, celebrating difference and doing things his own way. An odd gem of the week.

Joss Stone - ‘Molly Town’ from Water For Your Soul STONE’D Records White people making reggae. Need I say more? Ok fine, let’s dive in to this shit pit. Joss Stone’s standard of sickening soul pap is already petty low; she tries on various different stylistic hats to showcase her thoroughly OK voice. But why reggae? Who is this for? It’s not a fun, silly or interesting pop tweak on the genre, it’s just a shit reggae song. She even makes feeble and borderline offensive attempts to sing in rasta tones. I’m not going to go so far as to say you’re racist if you like this, but you are stupid. And a bit racist.

Photo: Screenshot

Music

14

ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Album

Record Reappraisal

Dungen: Allas Sak Released 22nd Sep Mexican Summer Records Spencer Soley Contributor

8.5/10

Swedish psychedelic four piece, Dungen, have recently released their strongest LP since the 2004 masterpiece Ta Det Lungt, and it’s their first LP in five years. Allas Sak, ‘everyone’s thing’, separates the band from the hordes of 21st century shoegazing-psych-pop at the very least in terms of consistency and longevity. Few other bands have lasted like Dungen have: without a bad release and without signs of succumbing to the seductive, technologically-orchestrated mainstream.

Mastermind frontman Gustav Estjes explained that he intended the album to be an associative experience for listeners, one in which they will be able to create their own stories, to which they can ascribe their own meanings, and in that way the album can be their thing, and even “allas sak”.

Throughout around half of the album, Estjes soothes us vocally as he enigmatically weaves between an intricately-crafted ambience that is perhaps characteristic of neo-psych, but Dungen’s comes with an invigorated extent of experimentation and mirth that is absent in others. Their creativity shines throughout this near-perfect production balance of nostalgic 1960’s-inspired psychedelia and the more refined and polished neo-psychedelic methods. Where other bands seem to focus on creating an enveloping drone, Dungen’s focus is on detailing melodic nuances, and from there they work their way up.

The entire album is in Swedish, and while clearly comprehensible to indigenous listeners, the overall experience for those of us inhibited by our language capabilities is not diminished. Without emphasis on lyrics (which are cool upon translation, by the way), layers of semantics are replaced by a pervasive mysticism.

It is within the instrumental songs and passages that Dungen’s genius truly lies. There is a plenitude of beautifullycrafted bass lines, dancing carefully around simple but effective drum patterns that are littered with sporadic (and in being sporadic they’re just about acceptable) Moon-esque fills.

All this works to provide a foundation for Estjes to use his vast instrumental repertoire. It is in these parts that the album can be appreciated in its most ecstasy-inducing form.

The sheer versatility provided by the varying prominence of guitar, flute, sax and piano, creates an atmospheric journey for the listener, improving with each listen. It begs for, and ultimately earns, the listener’s personal experiential association that Estjes desired all along.

I’m willing to forgive Dungen’s unwillingness to change or progress if they keep making records that are this good.

Where some may see a futile repeat and a lack of progression, I see it as exactly what psych needs more of.

Radiohead: Amnesiac Released Feb 1991 via EMI

Amnesiac may not be Radiohead’s best, but according to Jacob Evans, it’s definitely their weirdest.

Amnesiac has always occupied an ambiguous spot in Radiohead’s repertoire. It elicits some curious responses. Pitchfork likened it to “watching the stillborn birth of a child while simultaneously having the opportunity to see her play in the afterlife on Imax”.

Recorded in the same sessions as Kid A, Amnesiac was initially seen by many as just the leftovers. Not worthy of attention as a “proper” release. Au contraire: Amnesiac is not just a fully-fledged album, but one of Radiohead’s very best, with all of Kid A’s clean edges and sense of space replaced with mud, grit and claustrophobia.

The opener, ‘Packt Like Sardines in a Crushed Tin Box’, is built around a strange, metallic drum loop, with Thom Yorke’s use of autotune – along with reversed guitars and

heavy synth – all making the song feel unnatural. This is followed by possibly Radiohead’s best song, the show-stopping ‘Pyramid Song’.

The cascades of noise and strings are beautiful, and the deviant time signature adds that extra element of strangeness and wonder.

Amnesiac sets itself further apart from Kid A with its sheer experimentation. Whilst that album was no doubt incredibly forwardthinking, Amnesiac looks both forwards and backwards. The influence of jazz on Amnesiac, most notably the works of Charles Mingus, is seen all over. ‘Pyramid Song,’ ‘Dollars and Cents’ and ‘Life in a Glass House’, for example.

The album also experiments with more modern techniques and ideas—see the weird drum machines on ‘Packt’ and ‘Pull/Pulk Revolving Doors’. ‘Like Spinning Plates’ was

clearly originally an electronic piece, then played backwards, creating a weird, synthetic late album masterpiece. The nods to Johnny Marr on ‘Knives Out’; Brian Eno on ‘Hunting Bears’; and the omnipresent influence of Talking Heads’s Remain in Light, complete the band’s hugely outward perspective, taking in as much as possible to make something entirely new.

Amnesiac is an underrated gem of experimentation and creativity. It’s not without problems—most notably the relatively pointless ‘Morning Bell/Amnesiac,’ which isn’t as good as its Kid A counterpart and would be better off replaced with one of the incredible B-Sides, such as ‘The Amazing Sounds of Orgy’. It’s filled of tiny details and ideas that deserve attention, respect and reappraisal.

Club: Welcome To Warehouse An exciting start to the WHP season at Store Street, though the typical midrave dip was difficult to recover from.

Matthew Staite Music Editor

7/10

The new academic year has arrived, and more importantly for some, the new Warehouse Project season with it. Now in its 10th iteration, this year’s line up has once again surpassed itself.

Highlights for October see the return of Tropical, fronted by grime stars Skepta and JME, and a night hosted by Resident Advisor and Dekmantel festival featuring Four Tet, Nina Kraviz, alongside a triple b2b between Ben UFO, Joy Orbison and Jackmaster.

Ushering us into November is an expertly curated night by Ram Jam, along with a twonight residency by Annie Mac. Yet it is perhaps December that sees this year’s biggest coup— two nights featuring Manchester legends New Order alongside a host of DJs. The thought of an extended live version of Blue Monday is

enough to make your legs tremble.

Fittingly, last Saturday’s opening weekend event was a strong start to the season. Jackmaster welcomed the crowd through the doors with a simple but effective set, handing over to Daphni (Caribou’s DJ moniker for those out of the loop) an hour before midnight. Playing a beautifully diverse set yet still managing to keep the crowd hanging on his every beat, Daphni was the standout set of the night.

Sending the crowd into a frenzy with progressive tracks such ‘Little Thing (Doorly Surprise Sunrise)’, then dipping into obscure tropical remixes of African music, before ending on the little-known disco infused gem of Marcel Kreig’s ‘Make Me Feel’ were the signs of a genius at work.

The night didn’t end there however, with Joy

The Buzz Feed

Orbison taking to the decks once Daphni had drawn to a close. Hearing him drop the monumental track ‘Opus’ by Eric Prydz felt close to a religious experience, albeit in the slightly grotty surroundings of Store Street. Seth Troxler & the Martinez brothers were handed the reins to close the night, but failed to impress.

Having been in the Warehouse for over six hours by this point I was hoping for a set full of tracks that would inject energy into a flagging crowd, but it was not to be.

So whether you are begrudgingly entering your final year at Manchester, or a fresh faced fresher, Warehouse Project should not be missed. The Mancunion will be providing plenty of coverage of this jewel in the crown of Manchester’s legendary nightlife scene, so watch this space.

(No relation)

• Cat Rap: Do you love memes and hip hop? It’s your lucky day. Run the Jewels remix the whole of their second LP using meows, purrs and various other cat sounds.

• Swift send up: The re-release theme of the week continues, with indie rocker Ryan Adams releasing a full cover album of Taylor Swift’s 1989.

• Oil & Water: Iggy Pop is to feature on Kylie Minogue’s Christmas album. Here’s hoping it’s a mash up between ‘Lust for Life’ and ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’.

• Gore-chestral: John Carpenter, legendary composer of the scores for Halloween and The Thing , is to perform his music live for the first time at All Tommorow’s Parties festival

Album artwork

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INVOLVED

Want to write for us? We are always looking for enthusiastic contributors with a passion for music.

No previous experience is required, although a good grasp of grammar and punctuation is important.

Email us at music@mancunion.com to find out more about joining The Mancunion

Games 15

ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Review

Super Mario Maker Josh Goldie Games Editor This year is the 30th anniversary of Nintendo’s portly plumber. To celebrate the Big 3-0, Nintendo have decided that, rather than just re-release a collection of Mario’s old games on disc (like they did five years ago with the Super Mario All-star: Anniversary Edition), they will allow the fans to create their own Mario adventure and craft their own experiences using the assets of Mario both old and new, ranging from Super Mario Brothers on the NES, to New Super Mario Bros U on the Wii U. For what is, essentially, Nintendo’s big holiday game now that Star Fox Zero has been pushed back to Q1 2016, Super Mario Maker needs to have the selling power to really push the Wii U through this holiday season and to get Mario back on the minds of gamers.

The main mode of Super Mario Maker is the Create Mode. Using the Wii U gamepad, players can create their own Super Mario levels, to be enjoyed by players around the world. Unlike other level creation games such as Little Big Planet, Project Spark or the various modding and hacking tools people have been using online for years, Super Mario Maker is designed to be incredibly simple and easy-to-use.

The interface is amazing, with every element clearly laid out, as well as giving players the option to customize the layout of your building blocks.

Thanks to the Wii U gamepad, creating levels becomes a thing of ease. Players can simply draw the ground in a fashion similar to the Stage Creation tool of Super Smash Bros for Wii U. Many elements such as blocks, ground and coins can be drawn into the game. Other elements like enemies and items must be dragged and placed individually, but how far the game allows players to experiment here is astounding.

Super Mario Maker gives players the option to place objects inside other objects. For example, players can have a Lakitu that flies around the top of the stage throwing down Hammer Bros onto unsuspecting players. Or players can have Bullet Bill Blasters that fire Mushrooms instead of bullets.

Super Mario Maker really shows off Mario’s history by referencing at least five of his past games in a substantial way. Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3 for NES; Super Mario World and Mario Paint for SNES and New Super Mario Bros. U for Wii U. Mario Paint is the black sheep of this group because it is not a main series Mario game or a platformer. It is also represented in a very different way, and that is because Super Mario Maker is essentially the game’s successor.

Super Mario Maker’s layout greatly reflects Mario Paint in both design and features. The Gnat Attack mingame returns, as does the undo dog and sound frog. These features are fitting and understandable, especially when we learned that this game started off as a sequel to Mario Paint.

As for the other four games, they are represented through the various game skins. Everyone has a different opinion on which Mario game they feel looked and played the best.

Nintendo have decided to cater to fans by allowing players to change which game is being used as the basis for your levels. This does not just change things aesthetically. The entire engine changes to reflect that prior game’s properties.

For example, if you use the New Super Mario Bros. U skin, then creators can utilize the wall jump and ground pound ability, something that cannot be performed with any other skin. Nearly everything reappears in the various skins even if that component did not appear in the original game. Bowser Jr. is the best example of this, since he has only appeared in the later Mario

games. This means that the developers had to craft brand new assets for Bowser Jr. in the styles of the past games. This is done so that the player is not limited if they want to choose an earlier style, and it clearly shows the passion the developers had when designing this game because even the ‘newest’ assets look like they could have been a part of the original game.

However, not every feature is universal. Power-ups are generally exclusive to certain skins, like the feather in Super Mario World or the Super Leaf in Super Mario Bros. 3. This also doubles over for the amiibo costumes. In Super Mario Maker, you have 100 costumes that can be unlocked by playing the 100-Mario challenge or by tapping that character’s amiibo. These costumes come replete with new sounds and visuals, although they do not change any of the gameplay and instead act like the Mushroom power-up.

However, these costumes are exclusive to the original Super Mario Bros. skin.

If you are not the creative type and feel that Super Mario Maker may not fit your play style, well worry not. Super Mario Maker’s second mode is the Play Mode, which allows players to connect to the Super Mario Maker servers and play any of the 68-pre made levels in the game, or alternatively, to play any level created by anyone else online.

As with all user-created games, Super Mario Maker has its mixed-bag of levels, from auto-Mario levels, to recreations of previous levels or games, to really easy levels that someone made in 10 minutes, to kaizo-inspired levels.

Some might be fun and some might be boring but Super Mario Maker makes it easy to try out new levels.

The best way of trying new levels is in the previously mentioned 100-Mario challenge. Ranging from 3 difficulties, 100-Mario challenge gives you 100 lives to complete 8-16 levels chosen at random from the servers.

Will Super Mario Maker help to shape the future of 2D Mario games?

Photo:Nintendo Corporation. LTD.

My main problem with Super Mario Maker is the Star System. I actually think it is ingenious in its purpose.

Nintendo expected a massive flux of poorly-made levels taking up the servers, and so to counter this, ruled that players may only upload ten levels at first. To upload more levels you need stars and to get these stars people need to vote in favour of your level. The problem is that the star count is way too high. The first milestone to upload additional levels is 50 stars. Because of this, players may find it very hard to get through the ranks, regardless of how well-designed levels are.

There are some notable missing assets, such as slopes or Charging Chucks. However, the most painful feature missing is the checkpoint feature. Every Mario game has had checkpoints, but they are missing in this game and this creates massive problems with some levels online.

Many well-designed levels can be very long in length. However, as a player,

there is nothing worse than getting far in a level and then dying, only to have to start from the very beginning again.

That makes playing through some levels a slog and it becomes completely understandable that long levels may end up getting skipped. If a level gets skipped then it is unlikely to receive a star and so you see the dilemma.

Nintendo could easily rectify this problem in a DLC update in the future.

Super Mario Maker is a game primed for DLC and recent signs of the Angry Sun and extra amiibo costumes being found in the game’s data hint thus.

Despite my main issue with the game, Super Mario Maker is very welldesigned and is a fantastic game. It is the perfect game to release for Mario’s 30th anniversary and I would recommend everyone pick it up. It is one of the best titles on the Wii U and hopefully it will inspire Nintendo to change up the Mario formula in future 2D Mario games.

Review

Rocket League It has been nearly three months since Rocket League came out, and during that time, it has been one of the most popular games played. Who wouldn’t want to play football with little rocket-powered battle cars?

The idea for smashing a six-foot ball around a huge football arena is not a new one, though. A previous game, by the same developers, was released in 2009 for the PlayStation 3, with one of the longest names for a video game ever.

Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle Cars was a minor success, with around 2 million downloads.

However, the resounding growth of Rocket League (much better name) meant that by the end of July, it had been downloaded over 5 million times.

The premise of the game, as it is with football, is to score more goals than your opponent. That, however, is easier said than done. Imagine Top Gear’s car football matches.

You could be on the ball, and then suddenly out of nowhere, someone side-slams you. It happens…a lot.

The ball may be six-feet tall, but it feels like it has been filled with helium. You could tap the ball, and it travels no further than the length of your car, or you could belt it, and it will bounce off the side of an opponent and back to where it started.

Playing the game made me reminisce

Do you like cars? How about football? Or how about just pure, chaotic fun? Well if any sound pleasing to you, then read Deven Kara’s review of Rocket League now!

in the times when I played footy in the street, involved in 2v2 matches.

The thing that makes Rocket League such a good game is the learning curve along which you must rise to succeed.

The early matches are usually and ‘everybody flails around’ scenario, where you can see if you manage to get a single hit on the ball (I am guilty of this).

But as you progress through the game, your skill level increases and that’s when the game gets interesting. The way the game works means that you are matched against people of the same rank.

The higher the rank, the more experienced your opponent is likely to be. It can get quite hard, with some goals and shots just leaving you sitting there, speechless.

The fancy ball work is all done by the players, but the game objective is simple. Just score goals. You have 5 minutes to do so, and if it ends in a draw, Overtime occurs, which is basically Golden Goal. First team to score, wins.

It takes football back to its basics (whilst adding in cars, obviously), and allows you, ultimately, to have fun while messing around. For some it is just the playing that is appealing, but for others, tactics and positions are involved, and it can turn into a real football match, along with the dirtier tactics, such blowing up other cars or

Photo: Psyonix, Inc.

bashing them out of the way. To put it bluntly, Rocket League is football with cars and no rules. If that does not sound tempting, then I do not know what is.

The games are not long. As I mentioned earlier, they are only 5 minutes. By itself, that does not seem like a lot of time, but a lot of 5 minute sections together can equate to hours upon hours of playing because you simply cannot say ‘enough is enough’.

Playing with friends also takes a bit of time. As with anything, you enjoy it more when doing it with friends. This is no exception. I have sometimes lost track of time playing this game with friends, with some sessions going on into the early morning, whether it be 1v1 or playing against others in a ranked match. It does come into its own as a multiplayer

game when playing with friends.

It is something that is lacking with console games, with the majority being first-personshooters and role-playing-games.

Despite all of this, Rocket League is not a perfect game. There are always problems with the launches of games.

The main issue was with connection.

The server lag was sometimes so obvious that the ball would seem to be in one place, but would actually be in another.

This has, however, been resolved...to a certain extent. The lag isn’t as harsh as previously, and doesn’t occur as often.

It seems to be a more solid connection.

This fix came in a recent patch, which also introduced the first of three moderately-priced DLC packs. It introduced two more cars, new décor and new decals. Psyonix have taken things in their stride by adding items that seem to joke about problems that the game had upon launch. At least they have a sense of humour.

Rocket League’s success may be down to the fact that it is a brilliant game, but it may be more to do with it showing up on PlayStation Plus, PlayStation’s subscription service.

Rocket League was one of the free games offered to subscribers each month. With the sheer number of subscribers, it is no wonder that

this game became such a success.

It does seem that many, including myself, picked up the game through PlayStation Plus, and I am so glad that I did. I would definitely recommend this game to play. It is probably the most fun you will have in a football game.

For those who do not have it, there is a price, but it is worth every penny.

Want to meet fellow gamers in Manchester?

Photo: UoM Gaming Society

Do you like curry? On October 7th 2015, the UoM Gaming Society will be hosting its Fresher Curry meal, an event where you can enjoy a curry while making friends with like-minded people. Check our facebook page for more details on where the Curry will be . /gamingsociety

BREAST

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Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. Every year over 55,000 people are diagnosed with the disease—the equivalent of a diagnosis once every 10 minutes. 1 in 8 women will contract breast cancer within their lifetime, with just over 12,000 people dying from the disease every year.

Whether or not you have been personally affected by breast cancer, October brings a great opportunity to raise awareness of the disease. Breast Cancer Awareness Month raises funds to provide specialist nurses, local services, and a vital emotional support network to those who need it.

Every year, a handful of designers use their creative genius to launch products aimed at raising funds for the charity. Renowned British designer Stella McCartney is to launch her second collection of lingerie this year to support the cause.

Following the success of last year’s range, McCartney has designed a beautiful, feminine collection with a strong underlying message. Not only does her collection look beautiful and fit well, it serves as a healthy reminder to remain vigilant of the disease, no matter your age.

Model of the moment Cara Delevigne is the face of

Everyone loves a good shopping spree, it is a great feeling. But the feeling you get when you help people is so much better. What if you could combine your favourite hobby with helping charity? Well now you can.

Care2Save is a charity that makes it easy for students to raise money for a charity of their choice by purchasing an item for one of their favourite retailers at no extra cost. By using Care2Save.co.uk, users can find the latest deals offered by retailers including Ryman, ASOS, Boots and over 2,000 more!

Here are a few options that Care2Give can cater for.

COSMETICS All photos: Stella McCartney

About The Care2Save Charitable Trust:

Fluffy cushion here, fairy lights there, and obviously shoes and handbags are always on our wish lists. So why not help charity while you are splurging. Shop Very through Care2Save and up to 10 per cent of every penny you spend will be donated to your choice of charity.

FASHION Asos is one of my go to sites when updating my wardrobe. Be warm yet stylish this autumn and try buying a jacket from Asos through Care2Save. Here are a few of our picks for the new semester that will give up to 5 per cent donation:

The commission is split into two; 80 per cent goes to a registered charity of the shopper’s choice and the remaining 20 per cent goes to the Care2Save Charitable Trust which supports hospice and palliative care in the UK and globally.

Care2Save is the only shopping website of its kind run by a charity, and the website through which 100 per cent of the commission from each purchase is retained within the charity sector.

Want to find out more? Visit www.care2save.co.uk for more information.

STATIONERY If like me you are a bit obsessed with stationary, you can use Care2Save too! Shop Ryman through Care2Save and up to 10 per cent of every penny you spend will be donated to charity.

Craving & Saving

ing fears for the safety of the 40,000 UK women who had paid to have the implants privately. The risk associated with the procedure became a mainstream news story and arguably led to increased interest in other forms of procedure. One popular treatment is saline injections, offering a 24-hour boob lift, favoured by celebrities for the ‘red carpet’.

Despite there being trends for breast size and shape, women are always going to have individual preferences. What does it matter if yours don’t fit the status quo?

ACCESSORIES

From hair dye, to first aid kits, to the basic essential like shampoo and conditioner—Boots has it all! Shop Boots through Care2Save and up to 8 per cent of every penny you spend will be donated to charity.

Phoebe Nickalls Contributor

Pink? Check! Fluffy? Check! You’ve seen them all over Instagram and now you want your own…but at £200 a scarf, the Charlotte Simone Popsicle (faux fur, of course) does not come cheap.

Photos: ASOS

Photo: Care2Save

Editors’ Picks

History of breasts and fashion: Craving & Saving: faux a rise and fall fur popsicle scarves Breasts, boobs, tits, whatever you like to call them, have undergone multiple makeovers in recent years.

In the early noughties, getting a boob job was a status symbol for WAGs and low list celebrities—the more fake they looked, the better. Meanwhile, the fashion industry was embracing dangerously thin models with boyish figures.

Then along came Mad Men and the buxom Christina Hendricks in 2007, showcasing the gifts she had been given. Since then, breasts, in a variety of ways, have been ‘in fashion’. Whether it be the side boob, the under boob, or just the traditional cleavage, décolletage has been, and still is, taking the spotlight.

It no longer matters what your boobs are like naturally; you can transform them with the wide range of lingerie solutions available. Push up bras can now make your humble bosom appear two times bigger or, if you prefer a more natural look, just wear no bra at all. Throw caution to the wind and let your boobs be free—everyone else is doing it.

Social media has created a platform for women to share, embrace, and appreciate their bodies. This includes people from across the globe sharing the stories of women who have survived breast cancer, encouraging other women to check their breast health. Angelina Jolie’s preventative double mastectomy was definitely a turning point for breast cancer awareness. When one of the world’s most famous ‘sex symbols’ announces that she has removed her breasts for the sake of her health, it encourages women everywhere that, by choosing their health over their breasts, they will not lose their femininity.

Developments in plastic surgery mean that there are more procedures available for breast augmentation, but this does not mean that there is no risk associated with the surgery. Back in 2012, PIP silicone breast implants were discovered to contain non-medical silicone that were susceptible to ruptures, arous-

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Kathryn Murray Fashion Editor

Feature

Sarah Kilcourse takes a look back at some breasts-starring moments in popular culture

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Emily Earle reveals all that you need to know to support your breasts with Stella McCartney’s second Breast Cancer Awareness lingerie range

the new campaign. She was chosen by McCartney to represent the younger generation and to push the message of prevention as the most positive approach.

The designer has created the Alina Playing Range: a balconette bra, soft cup, and a bikini brief in the same shade of hot pink. A percentage of profits from the range will be donated to three breast cancer awareness charities: The Linda McCartney Centre in Liverpool, The National Breast Cancer Foundation U.S., and The National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia.

As part of the range, McCartney will launch her first double mastectomy bra. The Louise Listening bra is designed to reduce discomfort during the healing that is experienced post-surgery. The design takes its name from McCartney’s late mother, who died from the disease in 1998. All sales from the style will be donated to the London-based charity Hello Beautiful Foundation.

The range is available to buy now from McCartney’s website, as well as a handful of other retailers.

Support your breasts— go to http://www.stellamccartney.com/gb to do your part this month by supporting an incredible charity, and look great while doing it!

FIGHT

SUPPORT

Tickled Pink: Shop and raise money for charity Top 5 beauty buys with Care2Save

Support your breasts!

Emily Earle Contributor

Beauty Corner

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Fashion Beauty

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To avoid living off baked-beans for the rest of the year (yes, we’ve all been there), you could just bag yourself this Topshop number at £32, and that’s not even accounting for student discount!

Only the best for your breasts In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Kassi Allcock narrows down the essential three bra styles that you should ‘fit’ into your underwear drawer Although your lingerie doesn’t get showcased quite as often as the rest of your wardrobe, it is a fundamental part of your daily attire. If you leave the house with an uncomfortable bra on, you’ll be wriggling and writhing all day long. Wearing a well-fitting bra should be the top priority on your list.

Of those questioned in Manchester, 20% admitted that they had never been professionally measured for a bra. Knowing this statistic, it is not River surprising Photo: Island that 80% of women are wearing the wrong-sized bra (according to research by lingerie brand Freya). Doing so can cause discomfort, such as backache, as well as making your clothes look frumpish and ill-fitting.

In alignment with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, House of Fraser are offering complimentary fittings and 20% off when you purchase two or more bras, as part of the Perfect Fit event running from 9th-28th October. Lingerie brands on offer include Calvin Klein, DKNY, Freya, and many more.

Having found your perfect-fitting bra, there are three essential styles that you should ‘fit’ into your underwear drawer.

for Breast Cancer Awareness

This week sees the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Millie Kershaw rounds up her highlights of the limited edition beauty products on sale for the good cause Clinique Cheek Pop ‘Pink with a purpose’ - £17.50 £2 donated to Breast Cancer Research Foundation This shocking pink blusher, emblazoned with the Breast Cancer ribbon logo, is the perfect way to show your support for the good cause this October. Owned by cosmetics giant Estée Lauder, Clinique and its sister brands have plenty more limited edition products available for you to check out.

Photo: Clinique

Origins ‘Make a Difference’ hand treatment - £19.50 £5 donated to Breast Cancer Research Foundation With ‘Rose of Jericho’, and ‘oceanic flora’ featuring on its ingredients list, plus a substantial five pounds being donated to Breast Cancer Awareness with every purchase, you’ll be sure to make a positive difference with this magnificent-smelling hand cream.

Photo: Origins

Crème de La Mer ‘The Lip Balm’ - £45 £9 donated to Breast Cancer Research Foundation One of the more luxurious purchases on the list, but with almost a tenner donated to the charity with each purchase, be sure to treat yourself to this dreamy lip balm.

Consider rethinking your food budget for the week if you decide to splash your student loan on this.

Ciaté Paint Pot Duo - £18 £3.60 donated to Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Photo: Crème de la Mer

If Barbie-pink glitter nails are your thing, keep your eyes peeled for these glitzy offerings from Ciaté.

Complete with pretty pink bows on the bottles and 20% of the price going to charity, it’s too hard to say no.

Photo: Marks and Spencer, £19.50 Photo: Charlotte Simone

The Nude

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Although not the sexiest number, a nude bra is a must have. When sporting a lace top with no undershirt, or a transparent white tee, a coloured bra is not going to cut it. Show off your vibrant fashion in style, rather than directing leering eyes to what lie beneath.

Just because the colour isn’t aesthetically pleasing, you don’t have to limit yourself to the most basic of bras. Jazz yourself up by picking a lacy alternative!

The Strapless Owning a strapless top or dress without having a strapless bra in your possession is not a smart move—you’ll be forced to either tuck in your straps, digging further into your chest with every move you make, or have them on show for the world to see (which defeats the point in the first place). Invest in a high quality strapless bra for all of your practical needs, and opt for black to add a dash of glamour to the mix.

The Sexy Whether worn for yourself or someone else, a sexy bra is the third style that will complete your underwear drawer. Although not always the most practical choice for a tight tee, it will be easy to hide underneath a jumper. Adding that risqué feel to your everyday outfits, a sexy bra can boost your confidence levels. If you want to go the extra mile, throw on a matching pair of knickers, and feel smug knowing your naughty secret.

Jean Paul Gaultier ‘Classique’ £23 £2.30 donated to Brest Cancer Research Foundation

Photo: Selfridges.com

The iconic fragrance in its ‘femme fatale’ curvy bottle deserves centre stage on any girl’s dressing table.

Part of Escentual’s range of over forty products in its Breast Cancer Awareness Month promotion, 10% of the proceeds of the selected items will be donated to the charity.

Photo: escentual.com

Film

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TV Binge

Feature

Mr. Robot

This gritty anti-capitalist thriller convinces with strong characters and intriguing plot twists

The Biopic Debate Are all biopics the same?

As Oscar season rolls around we are greeted once again by another wave of biopics all equipped with an exciting cast and in the hands of a fully capable director and I’m sure an appropriately triumphant soundtrack. The idea of Bryan Cranston in his first leading role (as he is in the soon-to-be-released Trumbo) should be an anticipated performance but I’m left feeling a little uninterested. In recent years biopics have become to the Oscar bid what gorecore became to horror audiences and romcoms to the entirety of the midnoughties—low hanging fruit.

It’s easy to create a moving and gripping story when it has been written, characterised and often already told for you. Not to say

they’re not accomplishments—Eddie Redmayne gave an incredible performance as Stephen Hawking in the Theory of Everything, as did Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game but a formula of orchestral swells and strictly supportive female characters is beginning to emerge.

Biopics so often get wrapped up in detail they lose what makes movies magic. Yes, your actor looking a lot like your character is impressive, and allows the audience to remark “they did well with him didn’t they?”, but these things can cloud what makes the character interesting as an individual, with their sense of being getting lost to costume and dates. Not only that, but in order to try and stuff a whole person’s life into a compelling narrative, details are often lost on the cutting room floor, creating a distorted

Joe Hunt & Nadia Cheung Contributor & Subeditor impersonation leaving out the trickier aspects of a person.

If you want to make an informative and compelling film about someone’s life look to documentaries such as the recently released Amy. Amy managed to create a heart-wrenching but also honest film about its subject using found footage of the singer herself. Interestingly a documentary in a similar vein, Man on Wire, has just been adapted into The Walk starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. But with Searching for Sugarman and Cobain: Montage Of Heck being a recent successes there’s probably someone complaining about the saturation of found-footage documentaries, calling for higher-budget cinematic adaptations. You can’t keep everyone happy.

Photo: Scarlett Production

Photo: Working Title Films

Photo: USA Network

Or do they possess some merit?

Nicole Tamer Film Editor Fight Club fans are in for a treat with this new USA Network series.

It follows anti-hero Elliot, an anxiety-plagued security engineer who can only connect with people by hacking them. On top of that, he’s an unreliable narrator due to his morphine usage and constant paranoia.

His lonely life suddenly receives meaning when he gets recruited by an anarchist hacker called Mr Robot, whose aim is to cancel all debts and to take down a large corporation known as Evil Corp.

With a more realistic depiction of hacking, a strong plotline and gritty cinematography, this series has a lot of potential to become a massive hit. The pilot of the series was so well received that it was renewed for a second season before it premiered. Furthermore, current issues and American capitalist culture are portrayed so accurately that the release of the season finale had to be pushed back due to a scene that had similarities to a tragic shooting at a Virginia TV station that had taken place on the same day.

Rami Malek convinces in the role as the wide-eyed, naïve and socially inept protagonist Elliot, who acts as a cyber-vigilante in his free time.

The series manages to portray an introvert without using too many clichés. His inner world is vivid and based on intuitive hints, which he applies logically in real life while hacking, but as so often with ingenious introverts, his life is solitary. People around him struggle to connect with him and attempts to integrate him fail repeatedly. His work colleague Portia (Angela Moss) and his psychiatrist try their best to get through to him but the only people to whom he feels connected are the hacktivist group called fsociety. The underground hackers led by Mr Robot (Christian Slater) are equally weird, and their common purpose connects them.

Although Elliot cannot identify with most people, his strength is to analyse and identify problems and he applies these skills to understand people so well that he guesses their Facebook passwords in seconds through social engineering. His abilities do not stay unnoticed, and in the beginning of the series, he is shortly tempted to work for the corporate site after getting an offer from the sly but charming Tyrell Wellick (Martin Wallström), who is the Senior Vice President of Technology at E(vil) Corp. Elliot is often contrasted with Alpha males such as Tyrell and, similarly to Fight Club, Mr Robot deals with Elliot’s lack of traditional masculinity.

The series is definitely worth a watch, although the first few of the ten episodes have a rather slow pace, which is intended in order to emphasis the boring reality of Elliot’s office job. Character development has a high priority, too.

Another strong point is the inclusion of minority characters, especially since the series criticises societal problems. The series combines everything millennials could hope for, and trippy plot twists are guaranteed. Lean back and delve into the mind of Elliot, and don’t forget to make your passwords safer!

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Biopics are essentially a biographical film.

Very usually these kinds of films follow a particular person’s life story—and, in short, you are left with some sort of information about them one way or another. This is quite a specific type of film yet it is so broad that it can allow anything to happen. I don’t think it is fair at all to criticise biopics because of the bad ones. There may not be a large number of good ones, but that’s because they’re often overlooked because a biopic is a sub-genre that can’t be pinned down all the time.

There is nothing wrong with having actors who look like the characters they are portraying. Audio-visual pleasures like film rely on these superficial things to create what is there. I think it is particularly important not to take characters in biopics too seriously.

Even if they are real people, there is no way you could ever squeeze life into a two-hour motion picture. I think the most important is to capture the spirit of a particular person or the story itself.

Some biopics that I find are worth watching is HBO’s The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, about Peter Sellers the comedian. Here are some recommendations: Coco Before Chanel (with Audrey Tautou), Frida (with Salma

Hayek’s performance and obvious casting), La Vie en Rose (a French film focusing on the life of singer Edith Piaf) and Pollock (about Jackson Pollock, the artist).

If you really want to know about a specific person, perhaps it is not best to decide to see a biopic about them. Biopics may very well be designed to be a close to life portrayal, but if you’re looking for accuracy you are looking in the wrong place in the world of cinema.

There are so many biopics out there that do not act like the typical formulaic narrative.

Even though it may have not been entirely accurate and whatnot, there is no reason to be pessimistic about biopics, because there are so many yet to come, there is always

Classic Review

The Panic in Needle Park Jane Simmons Contributor When people are asked what their favourite film of the 1970s is, some might select Scorsese’s Taxi Driver or William Friedkin’s The French Connection as their favourites of the New Hollywood genre.

Jerry Schatzberg’s little known The Panic in Needle Park, (starring a very young Al Pacino as a twitchy heroin addict), however, is one of the grittier, unsung works of the New Hollywood movement.

The film follows doe-eyed country girl Helen (Kitty Winn), who has fled to New York seeking an abortion. Helen becomes seduced by manipulative heroin-user Bobby, a tough but eccentric street kid who lures her into a life of heroin addiction and prostitution. Al Pacino shines as this villainous protagonist, switching from caring boyfriend at the beginning of the film, to scheming thug by the end. A brilliant performance for one of his first feature films. Kitty Winn gives an excellent performance as Helen, though she proves to be the antithesis of a feminist role model, bashfully obeying Bobby’s orders.

Unlike many drug films, The Panic in Needle Park does not show the exhilarating highs of the junkie lifestyle, instead depicting the desperate lows; showing filthy squats, unbearable nausea and near-death experiences. This culminates in a friend of Bobby’s asking “what’s the best high you can get?”, and the response, “…death.” This

A young Al Pacino stars alongside Kitty Winn in this hard-hitting 70s portrayal of heroin addiction

Photo: 20th Century Fox

is, arguably, what sets the film apart from other drug films, since it shows just how consistently desperate and miserable a life of heroin addiction can be.

One of the triumphs of this film lies in the mise-en-scène—filmed entirely on location in New York, it captures streets littered with waste and grime. It captures the inside of squalid apartment blocks, showing just how run-down Manhattan was in the 1970s. For our generation, who promulgate New York as the glamorous, hip metropolis depicted in films such as Sex and The City, this is a huge eye-opener. The film screams signs of urban decay everywhere, including a scene where the drugged-up lovers visit a late-night café, where a pharmacy in the background lights up the word ‘drugs’ in seedy red neon, highlighting how, for Helen and Bobby, drugs are everywhere.

Schatzberg brilliantly uses his sound, too; the whole film consists entirely of a diagetic soundtrack, simply using background noise and conversation to create atmosphere, and giving the viewer a great sense of what the characters must be thinking and experiencing without any soundtrack getting in the way.

Overall, The Panic in Needle Park is a fantastic piece of New Hollywood cinema.

It really is everything that a New Hollywood film should be. It creates atmosphere using minimalist techniques. These are achieved via usage of long, unedited scenes; via outstanding performances and via the lack of a soundtrack. All of these collude to create a true sense of what New York in the 1970s must have been like from the perspective of a young girl drawn into a life of addiction.

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Review

Life

Top 5

This James Dean biopic starring Dane DeHaan has a few too many fatal flaws to be passable

Jake Sanders Contributor

James Dean’s role as a cultural icon is one that far exceeds his actual artistic output of just three feature films. In the film Life, director Anton Corbijn decides to examine the way in which some of the imagery most associated with Dean has been captured. How? By adapting the story of Dean’s relationship with Life magazine photographer, Dennis Stock.

It is, therefore, unfortunate that Corbijn never manages to accomplish anything beyond recreating imagery that is already familiar to most, with more than a passing familiarity to Dean. Rather than trying to capture the sense of energy and excitement that propelled Dean to the front of the cultural conversation in the 1950s, what Corbijn has created is a ponderous, tepid recounting of what is essentially a really long photo shoot.

Robert Pattinson, who plays Stock, the film’s protagonist, does his best with what he is given by playing a flustered and often pitiful man who is convinced that getting in early with a photo essay on Dean will lift him out of the mire of film set photography and red carpet events.

Corbijn and Pattinson actually make Stock a somewhat nuanced, frequently unsympathetic character, who neglects his responsibility to his family in order to pursue what he sees as his artistic purpose. This is far from groundbreaking, but it does add some dimension to what could easily have been a blank audience cipher.

Yet Corbijn’s decision to incorporate a sub-plot involving Stock’s family also serves to slow the film’s already glacial pace, and further leads to an especially

Movie Drug Users This week’s Top 5 counts down cinema’s most memorable drug addicts

Photo: Paramount Pictures

5. Travis – Clueless

Photo: Cinedigm

eye-rolling resolution in the film’s third act, wherein Corbijn appears to confuse a contrived narrative resolution with character development. This segment does, however, provide us with a scene where Pattinson vomits on a child, which is by far the most entertaining moment in the almost two-hour-long film.

Despite bearing no obvious physical resemblance to the man himself, DeHaan is an interesting choice for James Dean. DeHaan certainly possesses some of the same soulful vulnerability that made Dean a star; however, his performance here amounts to little more than a competent impersonation. DeHaan mumbles, smokes and wears the clothes, but he only impresses in the rare scenes within which he is permitted to explore some of the more complex elements of Dean’s persona, such as the dichotomy between Dean’s rebellious public image

and his almost childlike innocence and love for his family, whose Indiana farm serves as a setting for much of the film.

Additionally, Corbijn also seems to be indecisive with exactly how he wishes to present Dean. At times, he appears to be crafting his version of Dean in the same mould as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors by painting Dean as a mythic figure who transcended the mediocrity of our ordinary world through artistry. At other times, he might be trying to emphasise Dean as a deeply flawed, human figure by showing him passed out drunk or getting petulant about the news that his lover is engaged. Though this is arguably an attempt at capturing the multi-faceted nature of Dean, it comes across more as inconsistency than complexity.

Although choosing to only adapt a segment of Dean’s short life allows Corbijn to sidestep some of the normal groan-in-

ducing elements of biopics, such as ageenhancing makeup and jarring shifts in time, Corbijn still appears to be unable to resist tired biopic tropes such as cameos from actors playing the subject’s contemporaries. These appearances might have been more enjoyable if they could have presented to the audience more than just a sense of self-congratulatory satisfaction in recognising Natalie Wood or Eartha Kitt. But instead, all that these appearances do is reinforce the sense that Corbijn has fallen in love with the fussy period-detailing of this 50s set story and has neglected to pay close attention to the more important elements, such as giving the audience a reason to invest in a story whose ending we already know.

I just can’t find it in my heart to forget about Travis, the loveable high-school stoner in Heckerling’s cult classic, Clueless. I love his speech on tardiness, and I just feel that in real life, we’d be friends.

4. Mia Wallace – Pulp Fiction It would be a travesty to compile a list of film drug users and not mention Pulp Fiction, or indeed Tarantino. Mia is, for some perverse reason, idolised and admired, even though she mistakes heroin for cocaine and almost dies.

Nevertheless, she is an undeniably iconic character.

3. Spud – Trainspotting While any of Irvine Welsh’s shady Glaswegians could make the Top Five list, Spud undeniably takes the top spot for me. The scene in which he takes speed at an interview is, without a doubt, one of the best moments in cinema.

HOME Pick of the Week

99 Homes Alasdair Bayman Contributor

Oscar season is slowly creeping back into our lives, where dramatic films yearly seek to catch the eye of those nominators who will bestow the highest accolade in the industry upon their work. Grandiose acting is key to this, fellow critics state, along with backing from the infamous or famous—depending at how you look at it— Weinstein brothers. Sadly, Ramin Bahrani’s latest thriller, 99 Homes, will be very, very long on the bookmaker’s odds when betting finally takes place on the Best Picture category.

99 Homes fails to deliver on the promise of its premise, and only remains digestible because of powerhouse performances from Garfield and Shannon

Finding himself in the shoes of the average middle class worker, Andrew Garfield portrays Dennis Nash—a loving family man who is evicted from his house for financial reasons by Michael Shannon’s Rick Carver, an egotistical property entrepreneur. Nash will do anything to keep his idyllic household in existence, and sells his soul to Carver in order to make a living, mostly through an illegal fashion.

Garfield’s character is a clear foil to that portrayed

by Shannon. Unlike Nash, Carver is a narcissistic and ruthless product of America’s mass corporate society, who also happens to vape. Sharp, expletive dialogue elevates the character, similar to J.K. Simmons’s

Photo: Broad Green Pictures

Fletcher in last year’s film Whiplash. Having these two performances masks the cliché thriller script at hand.

Without these two actors, Bahrani’s sixth feature film would surely crumble.

An independent style of film-making is evidently adopted by the director throughout. Hand-held camera work and voyeuristic styles are employed in an attempt to interpolate you into Nash’s shoes, alongside its creation pathos in particular. A clear avoidance of independent film-making tropes was evident in Bahrani’s 2008 hit success, Goodbye Sol—still his best film to date. A regurgitation of generic plot devices permeates all around 99 Homes, though. To occasionally revisit important stylistic and narrative features can be beneficial to the audience and film-maker alike.

Unfortunately, Bahrani replays too many worn-down elements.

A profound statement between America’s rich and poor could have been integral to the story, but instead, Nash slowly works his way up Carver’s business to no great effect. Beneath the surface there is an emotionally engaging story waiting to happen, but the romanticism of the American Dream weighs down everything.

99 Homes is worth the watch simply to see Garfield back in action after a long, laborious few years under the watchful eye of Sony playing Spider-Man. Alongside him, in scintillating form, is Shannon; but nevertheless, the lack of a truly engaging source material leaves it all incredibly fragile. A strong and tense ending is not enough to rescue this thriller from the clutches of banality.

Photo: HandMade Films

2. Withnail – Withnail and I I’m not sure whether I am biased, as Withnail and I is one of my favourite films and they go to holiday in my hometown by mistake, or because the film is such a magnificent drinking game. But come on, Withnail has probably “had more drugs than you’ve had hot dinners.” (I am aware this quote is actually referencing Danny the drug dealer, but I like it.)

1. Sara Goldfarb – Requiem for a Dream While any of the characters in Aronofsky’s stunning film could easily make this list, Sara is the only one I really want to include—she is the only addict in the film who manages to elicit sympathy from the audience. While the rest of the characters make bad choices, mix with the wrong crowds and meet unmistakeably miserable fates, Sara is a reminder to the audience that addiction is not just caused by recreational drugs.

She is obsessed with the vision of a slimmer self, in which she is famous and makes her son proud, taking legal amphetamines in an attempt to achieve this. She is a victim, and Ellen Burstyn’s flawless makes this character all the more haunting and tragic.

Izabella Kerr Contributor

Books

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Feature

Painfully life-affirming poetry Books Editor Yasmin Mannan selects four poems which simultaneously sharpen yet take the edge off being alive

I understand that poetry can be a hard form to get into, but, like any other art form, certain things will move certain people. I don’t think there is such thing as “getting” poetry but the closest I’ve come to “getting” it is through encountering poems which seemed to kick me in the stomach, in some way or another. I have selected four poems from the ‘Staying Alive Trilogy’, published by Bloodaxe, which I find almost painful to read but in the best way possible.

They “distil the human heart as nothing else,” as Jane Campion commented on the collection, and draw on love, mortality, godlessness, and the meaning of life. These poems are heavy but with a light, readable touch.

1. You Don’t Know What Love Is by Kim Addoni zio but you know how to raise it in me like a dead girl winched up from a river. How to wash off the sludge, the stench of our past.

How to start clean. This love even sits up and blinks; amazed, she takes a few shaky steps.

Any day now she’ll try to eat solid food. She’ll want to get into a fast car, one low to the ground, and drive to some cinderblock shithole in the desert where she can drink and get sick and then dance in nothing but her underwear. You know where she’s headed, you know she’ll wake up with an ache and a terrible thirst. So to hell with your warm hands sliding inside my shirt and your tongue down my throat like an oxygen tube. Cover me in black plastic. Let the mourners through.

2. A Brief for the Defense by Jack Gilbert Sorrow everywhere. Slaughter everywhere. If babies are not starving someplace, they are starving somewhere else. With flies in their nostrils.

But we enjoy our lives because that’s what God wants.

Otherwise the mornings before summer dawn would not be made so fine. The Bengal tiger would not be fashioned so miraculously well. The poor women at the fountain are laughing together between the suffering they have known and the awfulness in their future, smiling and laughing while somebody in the village is very sick. There is laughter every day in the terrible streets of Calcutta, and the women laugh in the cages of Bombay.

If we deny our happiness, resist our satisfaction, we lessen the importance of their deprivation.

We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure, but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world. To make injustice the only measure of our attention is to praise the Devil.

If the locomotive of the Lord runs us down, we should give thanks that the end had magnitude.

We must admit that there will be music despite everything.

We stand at the prow again of a small ship anchored late at night in the tiny port looking over to the sleeping island: the waterfront is three shuttered cafés and one naked light burning.

To hear the faint sound of oars in the silence as a rowboat comes slowly out and then goes back is truly worth all the years of sorrow that are to come.

3. Missing God by Dennis O’Driscoll His Grace is no longer called for before meals: farmed fish multiply without His intercession.

Bread production rises through disease-resistant grains devised scientifically to migrate His faults.

Yet, though we rebelled against Him like adolescents, uplifted to see an oppressive father banished – a bearded hermit – to the desert, we confess to missing Him at times.

Miss Him during the civil wedding, when, at the blossomy altar

of the registrar’s desk, we wait in vain to be a fed a line containing words like ‘everlasting’ and ‘divine’.

Miss Him when the TV scientist explains the cosmos through equations, leaving our planet to revolve on its axis aimlessly, a wheel skidding in snow.

Miss Him when the radio catches a snatch of plainchant from some echoey priory; when the gospel choir raises is collective voice to ask Shall We Gather at the River? or the forces of the oratorio converge on I Know That My Redeemer Liveth and our contracted hearts lose a beat.

Miss Him when a choked voice at the crematorium recites the poem about fearing no more the heat of the sun.

Miss Him when we stand in judgement on the lank Crucifixion in an art museum, its stripe-like ribs testifying to rank.

Miss Him when the gamma-rays recorded on the satellite graph seem arranged into a celestial score the music of the spheres, the Ave Verum Corpus of the observatory lab.

Review

Miss Him when we stumble on the breast lump for the first time and an involuntary prayer escapes our lips; when a shadow crosses our bodies on an x-ray screen; when we receive a transfusion of foaming blood sacrificed anonymously to save life.

Miss Him when we exclaim His name spontaneously in awe or anger as a woman in the birth ward calls to her long-dead mother.

Review

Miss Him when the linen-covered dining-table holds warm bread rolls, shiny glasses of red wine.

Miss Him when a dove swoops from the orange grove in a tourist village just as the monastery bell begins to take its toll.

Miss Him when our journey leads us under the leaves of Gothic tracery, an arch of overlapping branches that meet like the hands in Michelangelo’s Creation.

Miss Him, when, trudging past a church we catch a residual blast of incense, a perfume on par with the fresh-baked loaf which Milosz compared to happiness.

Miss Him when our newly-fitted kitchen comes in Shaker-style and we order a matching set of Mother Ann Lee chairs.

Miss Him when we listen to the prophecy of astronomers that the visible galaxies will recede and the universe expands.

Photo: NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre @Flickr

Feature

Review: The Sea of Tranquility

Solin Hanna gives a glowing review to the YA novel ‘The Sea of Tranquility’ by Katja Millay Self-inflicted mute Nastya Kashnikov wants nothing more than to get through life in her new high school as a mystery, she want a clean slate and to make the person who tore her life apart to pay, but can she have both? Josh Bennett is no mystery, everyone knows his story, by the age of 17 he has had everyone he loves ripped from his life and now he doesn’t let himself get close enough to anyone in case they’re ripped from his life too. But this all changes when Nastya implants herself into his life, giving him no choice but to care. When the world’s of these two teens collide everything changes, secrets are revealed, mystery’s uncovered, but can these two find it within themselves to see past their tragedies and find solace in one another or will their pasts come back to haunt them? Told in dual points of view this book is incredibly moving and unforgettable.

Admittedly, the book has a slow build up but I believe that reflects the reality of life, your stories come out slowly in life and that’s reflected well in this book. For a debut novel Millay has come out with a bang. I cannot find exactly the right words to express my feelings about this book it was beautiful, emotional, light hearted and heart wrenching at the same time, overall just an incredibly moving book. It’s about two damaged teens, the survivors of equally devastating and traumatic tragedies, who come together and somehow find safety, love and happiness in each other and slowly begin to heal each other.

“We’re like mysteries to one another. Maybe if I can solve him and he can solve me, we can explain each other. Maybe that’s what I need. Someone to explain me.”

The characters are complex and beautifully presented and they each have so many layers that are peeled off chapter by chapter until they are presented to you in their rawest form: the main character Nastya is both vulnerable and tough as nails which is why I loved her so much, she was strong and intelligent and sarcastic, and it’s hard to find protagonists like this in YA novels.

Secondly we have Josh, who was angry and damaged but but strong with a heart of gold. Josh was such a beautiful character, I wish there were more Josh Bennett’s in this world. The sea of tranquillity is but strong with a heart of gold. Josh was such a beautiful character, I wish there were more Josh Bennett’s in this world. The sea of tranquillity is a poignant coming of age novel that highlights the durability of the human soul and ultimately shows there is more to people than meets the eye.

Miss Him when the sunset makes its presence felt in the stained glass window of the fake antique lounge bar.

Miss Him the way an uncoupled glider riding the evening thermals misses its tug.

Miss Him, as the lovers shrugging shoulders outside the cheap hotel ponder what their next move should be.

Even feel nostalgic, odd days, for His Second Coming, like a standing in the brick dome of dovecote after the birds have flown.

4. Late Fragment by Raymond Carver And did you get what you you wanted from this life, even so?

I did.

And what did you want?

To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on this earth.

Photo: jixxer @Flickr

Food & Drink

22

ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Review

EAT ME: Mud Crab Bar & Cafe

Eva Katz Lifestyle Editor

“A trendy venue with some quirky artwork, Mud Crab resonates with Manchester’s chic hipster heaven vibe, refreshingly outside of the Northern Quarter” with a Bourbon Sticky Toffee Pudding which we asked to be accompanied with ice cream instead of clotted cream, though this request was sadly forgotten.

Our waitress was friendly but unfortunately not as attentive as we would have liked. Having worked in chain restaurants before, my standards and expectations for service are high but reasonable, and on this occasion they were not met. Considering that we were one of only two occupied tables in the restaurant, the service we received was rushed, and there was no checking back to ask if we wanted anything else or to see how our meals were. We felt that the restaurant was taking its desire to be relaxed and easygoing rather too literally, which really let down what was otherwise a good visit.

All in all, the food was tasty and Mud Crab is a pretty cool place to grab a bite to eat. Definitely somewhere to take visiting parents or friends if you don’t want to break the bank or head into the city centre. To top it off, they have some generous student discounts: 40 per cent off on Mondays, 20 per cent off at lunchtime, and 10 per cent off at dinner time.

So, would I recommend Mud Crab? The answer is: Not for any special occasions. For a quick bite to eat in a fuss-free environment where you’ll be left to your own thoughts or conversation it could be ideal; but this restaurant, unfortunately, is not the place to sample Manchester’s capability of providing friendly Northern service at its best.

Photo: The Mancunion

Following numerous raving reports from friends, I was keen to try Mud Crab for myself. But before I begin my review, I would like to credit my wonderful friend Flo for waiting for me for 45 minutes following some minor miscommunication due to lack of phones. Thanks Flo, you’re a great pal.

Located in Didsbury, the restaurant is conveniently a stone’s throw from the nearest bus stop (take the 42/142 into East Didsbury) and therefore hard to miss.

A trendy venue with some quirky artwork, Mud Crab resonates with Manchester’s chic hipster heaven vibe, refreshingly outside of the Northern Quarter. The menu has a gastro-pub feel to it and features pizza, salads and grilled meats with some interesting taste combinations. I, suffering with post-night antics beer belly, chose the Mud Crab Caesar Salad, whilst my friend chose the Chorizo and Balsamic Red Onion Pizza.

The Caesar Salad was so delectable that it most

certainly made me regret agreeing to halve it with my lunch partner. The chicken had great taste from being grilled whilst maintaining its succulent texture, and the anchovies and dressing all complimented one another perfectly. The croutons, which were made using brioche, made it stand out from the crowd.

Although our stomachs were satisfied from our mains, we felt it wrong to deny Mud Crab the opportunity to show us its sweet side. We followed up

Mud Crab Bar & Restaurant 747 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M20 6RN 0161 445 2055 http://www.mudcrabindustries.co.uk/didsbury

Recipe

Thai Prawn Curry Jose Harrington Recipe Columinst

As freshers flu starts to kick in, you’re probably in need of a warming and healthy meal, and especially for this, we have a fragrant Thai curry. If you’re in a hurry, use jarred Thai curry paste rather than make Bag of frozen prawns, defrosted the homemade one. Personally, I prefer the home300g white rice made paste as it has a great depth of flavour and is 2 spring onions much healthier. This paste can also keep for a couPacket of baby sweetcorn ple of months in the fridge, so could be made in bulk 2 peppers and used again. Prawns can be swapped for chicken Handful of spinach or omitted completely if catering for vegetarians.

50g green beans Method 400ml coconut milk Sesame seeds (optional) Start by blending together the ground cumin, 1 stick of lemongrass ground coriander, chillies, ginger, garlic, lemongrass 1 lime stalks, freshly chopped coriander, zest and juice of 1 lemon lime, two tablespoons of oil until a thick paste has Fresh coriander formed.

1.5 teaspoons of ground coriander Before heating the Wok, ensure that the prawns are ½ teaspoon of ground cumin, defrosted to remove the water. Then add a splash of 3 teaspoons minced ginger oil to your Wok and fry the prawns, baby corn, pep3 cloves garlic per strips and green beans for a couple of minutes 2 mild chillies Oil until starting to brown. Add the paste, mix together, Soy sauce and add a can of coconut milk, adding a little water if it looks too dry. Bring to boil and add two teaspoons of soy sauce.

Just before serving, mix in the spinach. Serve with Serves: 3-4 rice, chopped spring onions, sesame seeds and a wedge of lemon.

Time: 20 minutes

Shopping List

Photo: The Mancunion

Photo: The Mancunion

Food & Drink 23

ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Review

Pomegranate: Persian Pearl of West Didsbury

“True to its name, it was as if we had peeled back the shell of a pomegranate to reveal colourful seeds full of sights, tastes and smells” Having arrived in Manchester after a gridlock drive from the South, ferried a year’s worth of life contents to my new attic room and then manoeuvred the four wheel drive of my suitcase up three flights of stairs, my companion and I rewarded ourselves with a meal in West Didsbury. Indecisive when choosing where to eat, a beautiful yellow and pink mosaic sign reading ‘Pomegranate’, scattered with delicate illustrations, caught our eye. We ventured in.

A waitress welcomed us into a warm, lantern-lit room, where a clutch of wooden tables rested, with an orange candle steadily melting on each. Soft aromas of sweet almonds, tangy plums and hints of saffron wafted from the kitchen as the sounds of Persian music reached our ears. True to its name, it was as if we had peeled back the shell of a pomegranate to reveal colourful seeds full of sights, tastes and smells.

Ordering two pomegranate juices was an obvious choice; however, the vibrant menu full of fresh dishes was much harder to select from due to the array of enticingly described options. We selected a traditional starter called ‘Musto gole surkh’, recommended by our waitress. A savoury cake arrived, consisting of walnuts and spinach with hints of lemon and garlic and accompanied by a small salad and yoghurt dip scattered with rose petals. Although the texture of the starter was thick—unlike anything I had tasted before—it was complemented by the cool yoghurt, the nutty taste on the warm naan making for a delicious bite.

Our expectations for the main chicken dishes that we had ordered were now very high. My companion had the ‘Morghe Alouie’; chicken cooked in saffron with dried plums, lemon and herbs and topped with flaked almonds, which she confirmed was “as delicious as it sounds”. I chose the ‘Zereshk Polo’, a lemon and thyme based dish with sweet peppers, which was perfectly set off by the delicious barberry and pistachio rice.

Portions were generous and the red spotted dishes against the Turkish bazaar décor created the feeling of a home-cooked meal. As for the quality, the chicken was tender and infused with subtle flavours, and unlike an Indian curry that can often make you feel full to the brim, we were pleasantly satisfied and still felt like we had just enough room for something sweet.

Ordering a scoop of ‘Bastani’, a traditional Persian ice cream perfumed with saffron and studded pistachios, made for a sweet creamy finish. It was accompanied by fresh mint tea served in miniature Persian prince glasses and saucers.

Pomegranate’s mission to send customers on a Persian journey was certainly achieved. Not only through its authentic blend of tastes, but aromas and sights.

Its decor all added to the experience, and made the food so much more than just the moment where the fork touches the lips.

True to its name, ‘Pomegranate’ delivered mysterious deliciousness in its seeds. More striking still, was the friendliness and ambience of this Didsbury gem, which fulfils proprietor and head chef, Sia Yazdani’s aim that the restaurant become ‘a temporary home for the night’.

Leaving the glinting Persian den I found myself rather stunned to see a garish ‘takeaway’ sign flashing and felt cold air on my skin. The contrasting Mancunian high street and the reminder of the unpacking that awaited me back home confirmed Pomegranate’s subtle, yet authentic, charm. We had indulged in more than just a marvellous meal that night; we had been transported to another culture.

Hope Rapp Contributor

The Coffee Column Ben Walker Contributor I’ve been fortunate enough to caffeinate in some of the best coffee houses in the world, and I’m over the moon to say we’re lucky enough to have some genuine worldbeaters right here in Manchester.

With Welcome Week behind us, and classes and normality set to begin, it’s my reckoning that you should start term with somewhere quite brilliant, so what better than something right on our very University doorstep. I am of course talking about the Anchor Coffee House, 508 Moss Lane East, just the other side of Whitworth Park.

Photo: Anchor Coffee

This little gem is owned by Vinelife, a local church group whose leaders dreamt of having a café specialising in top coffee, delicious eats, sophisticated style, and a welcoming atmosphere. It is a rare achievement indeed to tick every one of these boxes, but the Anchor does so with ease and charm, knocking shades off all its local rivals, and many of its Northern Quarter counterparts too.

That said, I suppose it is prudent to begin with the coffee—oh, the coffee: Here we have the only place in Manchester selling the Photo: The Mancunion famous Monmouth Coffee of London; the internationally renowned roasters founded in the 1970s which remain leaders in ethics, quality, and commitment to coffee.

Anchor is staffed exclusively by volunteers, though you Pomegranate, wouldn’t know that they weren’t trained baristas; from 202 Burton Road, the espresso, to the drip, flat whites to frappés, high end West Didsbury, beverages are consistently delivered. This is the best cofManchester, M20 2LW fee you’ll get, hands down, around campus, and for £2 a go, it well undercuts the so-called ‘competition’. http://www.pomegranate-restaurant.co.uk/ When it comes to food, the Anchor specialise solely in bagels. Amongst others, there’s bacon and home-made tomato relish for the hangover, roast vegetable and houmous for the veggie, and smoked salmon for the sophisticated. There is also ‘Bagel of the Month’, a show-stopping whopper of a thing clocking in at a very reasonable £4, which includes the latest delicious bagel filling.

The soup is made fresh in-house, and usually supplements the lunchtime bagel. All the holey-bread is supplied by the Barbakan deli and bakery of Chorlton, and Method: the cakes by North Star Deli, housed both in town and In a saucepan, toast the spices over a medium heat for about a minute, then Chorlton. Anchor help out by using locally and skilfully toss in the onion. Fry gently until soft, then add the chopped apple. Continue made produce, and there’s no reason to settle for anycooking over a medium heat for 3 – 5 minutes, then add the grated ginger and thing less. coriander, cook until aromatic.

Here is a very popular study venue and hangout, an alAdd the peeled and grated sweet potato (grating is a slight pain but shortens ternative space to the Union Starbucks, the characterless the cooking time), then add the lentils and stock. Bring to a boil and simmer Alan Gilbert, or overly-busy library. And there is so much covered for 20 mins, stirring occasionally. to get involved with too, if you’re so inclined. The Anchor participate in the wonderful Suspended Coffee scheme, When the lentils are tender, take the pan off the heat and whiz the soup with a where you can donate a coffee to those less fortunate, a handheld electric blender. Pulse until smooth. The consistency should be very great idea to allow everyone to enjoy a top cup of joe. “The thick. entire system is based on good faith and kindness; those that buy do not know who gets the coffee and help; those Put the pan back on the heat and add the milk, if the consistency is still too that receive do not know who bought it for them.” There is thick for your liking add some more stock or milk, but be sure to taste and add also a food bank to contribute to as well. more spice if it starts becoming too bland.

Having been open since January 2013, and having personally spent quite ridiculously large amounts of time Once the soup is warmed through again, add the juice of the lime. Season to hanging out, and or ‘working’ here, with complete assurtaste. edness, I can do nothing but wholeheartedly endorse this lovely coffee house. It’s a 5-minute walk from university Serve with a swirl of crème fraiche and scatter with coriander leaves. and just far enough to get out of the student bubble for some down time. If this wasn’t enough to win you over, there’s a 2-4-1 offer on at the start of term, so there’s even less reason not to get on down. See you there!

What’s so sweet about sweet potatoes?

Evie Horsell I’m sure those of you who are interested in food, which if you’re reading this you probably are, have noticed the sudden craze about ‘superfoods’. Even Jamie Oliver has lost a sizeable amount of bulk to correspond with his new book ‘Everyday Super Food’.

With this new trend at its peak, even we poor students have been investing in the likes of quinoa, acai, goji berries, and coconut oil. I have taken personal delight in investigating the golden nugget of the superfoods: The sweet potato.

When researching the sweet potato, a superfood with a lower carbohydrate content than white potatoes, I found that it is full of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and plenty of antioxidants. Even one portion of sweet potato can give you up to 90 per cent of your recommended Vitamin A. So, I decided it was time to cook with this curious ingredient. The recipe that I tried out was delicious, super easy, very kind on the wallet, and freezer-friendly.

Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: 20 mins Serves 8 Ingredients: 2 tsp medium curry powder 1 tsp ground cumin 3 tbsp olive oil 1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped 2 small onions finely chopped Bunch of coriander, leaves and stems chopped (reserving some leaves for decoration) 1 inch piece of root ginger, grated 1.2 ltr of chicken/vegetable stock 800g sweet potatoes, peeled and grated 100g lentils (red, brown or green) 300ml milk Optional: 1 lime Crème fraiche and coriander leaves, to decorate

Anchor Coffee 508 Moss Ln E, Manchester M14 4PA http://anchorcoffee.co.uk/ Photo: The Mancunion

STUDENT ELECTIONS

VOTE 9-15 October 3pm

Vote easily on Mymanchester www.manchesterstudentsunion.com/elections

Theatre 25

ISSUE 3 / 5th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Feature

Feature

Manchester’s House of Dead

Review: HOME’s La Mélancolie Des Dragons

As part of HOME’s new season, Philippe Quesne welcomes his production of La Mélancolie Des Dragons to Manchester Hannah Foy Reviewer

House of Dead Photo: Press Shot

Elise Gallagher Theatre Editor Back in August, House of Dead Ltd brought their new interactive and immersive horror escape room, ‘Trapped Up North’, to Manchester’s Great Northern Warehouse.

During the summer months, hundreds flocked to try out the escape room experience for themselves.

The concept is a simple one: try to escape within the hour. There are three rooms from which to choose: Jigsaw, Quarantine and Cabin Fever.

The escape room experience is open from August until December, with a special Christmas surprise to be announced soon. Teams are made up of a minimum of three people to a maximum of six.

Prices vary from £16 per head for a team of three to £13 per head for a team of six.

However, now that October is upon, us the team have created what they call ‘the most immersive, terrifying and utterly unique horror experience the UK has to offer.’

It took the team six months to plan the experience in meticulous detail, with an army of craftsmen taking a total of two months to bring their illustrations to life ahead of the horror experience opening it’s doors to the public on the 3rd October.

With a total cast of 30 actors, the walk-through experience boasts a plethora of horror film set ups spread across 6,200 square feet and two floors. It will take around 40 minutes to walk through... if participants make it that far. The House of Dead will be open for the rest of October and Hallowe’en season; however, it is advised that thrill seekers book in advance.

Scare attractions are fast becoming one of the UK’s biggest entertainment sectors.

The industry has undertaken major innovations in the past ten years to keep attractions appealing to the general public, not just during the Hallowe’en period. The beauty of these attractions and what makes them work is the element of surprise. Not knowing what to expect, and the literal fear of the unknown has proved

successful in the past and still continues to do so.

Differing from scare attractions most of us have experienced, House of Dead Ltd have latched onto what is dubbed as ‘interactive/ immersive theatre’, to the extent that you might find yourself forgetting that it isn’t actually real. The actors remained in terrifying character throughout, and weren’t the usual desultory, predictable personalities you usually find yourself paying for. It was clear that they were getting as much as a kick out of it as you were.

It goes without saying that the experience isn’t recommended to those who are claustrophobic/faint of heart.

An exclusive performance of La Mélancolie Des Dragons premiered at HOME last night, giving the audience a multimedia production of music and visual art. Directed by the artistic director of Nanterre-Amandiers Theatre in Paris, Phillippe Quesene, the production seemed to exhibit his stage design background, entrancing the audience with the amusement park design and the intimacy of the cast.

Any show that is able to hold an audience for the first 20 minutes through visuals and background music alone is a marvel, and this opening reveals an intricately choreographed cast. They work together seamlessly, never really leaving the stage but blending into the set as required.

It’s a production that seems to challenge many of our stereotypes, questioning the world around the characters as time no longer matters. It is Isabelle who fixes the car, or at least requests the new part.

It is also Isabelle who is the first to break the silence of the production. She appears to have a quality to her the boys surrounding her are immune to, a gift to break the quiet stage and subsequently bring the show the life.

I couldn’t work out Isabelle’s relationship within the group, she certainly appears maternal in her care and interest in what the boys say. Especially with the eager quality each character has to please and present a new aspect of the amusement park to her. Likewise Isabelle is the only character to have a name; at least a name so many times repeated it’s impossible for the audience not to identify her.

As the only female, Isabelle holds the stage and appears the pivotal character to the production. I felt she linked the audience to the show itself, being shown the various elements of the amusement park, so that we too, could view everything for the first time.

The amusement park holds many interesting qualities; it’s repetitive and simple, over explained and exaggerated–yet surprisingly funny at times. It holds a darker humour to itself, a realisation of the over simplified elements. The unique quality the amusement park brings

has to be the physical theatre– each element takes over the stage, spilling into the audience, whether this be smoke or bubbles, or the overriding sense of pleasing and showing the audience what it has to offer.

But, for me at least, this seemed quite repetitive to the extent where I almost wished Isabelle would say ‘no’ at least once. Each attraction had multiple options, whether this be the font, shape, size and colour of the projectors text (which also can project images you know) or the library holding picture books, children books, fiction books and 3D books. Everything was explained in such detail, I was able to predict the next line.

The production contains some clever dark humour. The use of physical theatre and set design was vital and an impressive addition to the production, allowing much movement and interpretation.

La Mélancolie Des Dragons is running at HOME until Saturday 3rd October.

La Mélancolie Des Dragons Photo: Press Shot

Competition

Ticket prices range from £18 between 9th-22nd of October, and £20 between the Hallowe’en festive period (23rd October-1st November). To book tickets, you can either contact Quay Tickets on their website: www.quaytickets.com or ring them on 08432 208 0500

Feature Editors’ Picks

What’s on this week?

Tuesday ‘The Crucible’ - Royal Exchange Theatre7PM ‘So Here We Are’ - Royal Exchange Theatre 7PM ‘I Loved you and I Loved you’ Lowry Theatre 8PM ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ - Lowry Theatre 7:30PM ‘Kaash’ - Lowry Theatre 8PM Wednesday ‘So Here We Are’ - Royal Exchange Theatre 7PM ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ - Lowry Theatre 2 & 7:30PM ‘Kaash’ - Lowry Theatre 8PM

Photo: garryknight @Flickr

A few picks throughout the week in Manchester

Daniel Sloss: Dark - Lowry Theatre8PM Contact Young Company: Under the Covers C 7:30PM Thursday ‘The Crucible’ - Royal Exchange Theatre 2 & 7PM ‘So Here We Are’ - Royal Exchange Theatre 2 & 7PM ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ - Lowry Theatre 2 & 7:30PM ‘The Fragility of X’ - Lowry Theatre 8PM Le Gateau Chocolat: I <3 Chocolat C 8PM

Friday ‘The Crucible’ - Royal Exchange Theatre 7PM ‘So Here We Are’ - Royal Exchange Theatre 7PM ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ - Lowry Theatre 7:30PM ‘The Fragility of X’ - Lowry Theatre 8PM Saturday Lee Nelson: Suited and Booted - Lowry Theatre 8PM ‘Terminal’ - Lowry Theatre 8PM ‘An Evening of Burlesque’ Opera House 8PM

House of Dead. Photo: Press Shot

Win a chance to experience the House of Dead House of Dead Ltd are offering you the chance to try out Manchester’s number one scare attraction.

With two pairs of tickets up for grabs your nightmare experience will take place on Friday the 9th of October.

For a chance for you and a friend to win simply email your name, course and year along with your best Halloween joke to: theatre@mancunion.com Entries close 1PM on Thursday the 8th of October. Winners will be notified by email by 5PM on the 8th of October. Good luck.

26

Lifestyle

ISSUE 5 / 19th OCTOBER 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

The fickleness of fame Five minutes of fame are easier than ever to achieve but clinging onto stardom is a different story

Hannah McGrory Lifestyle contributor Now that the internet has become firmly ingrained in all of our day to day lives, more and more people are finding themselves stamped with the label of ‘celebrity’. Although internet fame is a relatively new phenomenon, it’s one that has taken society by storm, prompting millions of young people across the globe to take to their computers in bid to post something funny/controversial/ disturbing enough to go viral. This type of fame is a particularly fickle one, with many people being forgotten just days after they’ve achieved international celebrity status. However, there are some who have managed to stay the test of time.

One such figure is 18-year-old Kylie Jenner. You might know her as the youngest member of the infamous KardashianJenner clan (who—admit it, we all love to hate), but it has been through social media that this young lady has truly managed to find her calling. Amassing over 39 million followers on Instagram and 1.8 million on Twitter, Jenner epitomises all that is to be an ‘internet famous’ teenager. Distinguished by THAT beestung, overfilled pout, a typical selfie from her generally garners over a million likes—though that is not to say that she’s no stranger to criticism. Not too long after the brunette controversially

Photo: JasonHowie@Flickr

enhanced her lips with surgical fillers, the #kyliejennerchallege took the internet by storm. Millions of people across the globe began posting videos and pictures of themselves using shot glasses, bottles and cups to suction their lips into ‘the perfect Kylie pout’—however the method may have taken an attempt

at humour a bit too far. The reportedly painful process was said to leave results that could last for hours—even days, when blood vessels in the lips burst. Although the teen tried to distance herself from the challenge and its promotion, it certainly worked in thrusting her even further into the internet spotlight. Her

Relationship: It’s complicated

Aj Mal Lifestyle Contributor

“It’s like a game,” says Fiona, a final year student, as she sips a coffee in the Students’ Union and texts, “laying here thinking bout u” to a boy she is interested in. Mobile phones have led to texting and flirting becoming an easy element of everyday life, where having multiple ‘love interests’ on the go at the same time can now be easily maintained in one inbox.

However, this has also led to our love lives becoming more complicated. Dating. One night stands. Hook-ups. Booty calls.

Randoms. Flings. They are all now part of the dating landscape, and making decisions when drunk, lonely, and wanting attention can and will result in poor decisions made. (Beyonce failed to mention drunken texts and other things you regret in the morning in ‘Drunk in Love’...)

Fiona describes her dilemma.

“My life is ruined. It’s only a matter of time before my boyfriend finds out about the guy I’m in love with, or my fling with his best mate. I wish I could wake up and just not be me for a day.”

This sounds like the perfect scenario to describe as ‘It’s complicated’. However, the truth is never as bleak as it may seem.

Time will make a funny story out of most complex situations, and it is important to not feel too down about a relationship not working out. If you feel it is not going to work out with someone,

it is better to be honest and admit it as soon as possible, rather than letting something drag on.

It can be difficult to say, but it is always best for both people, and it prevents awkward situations and even more difficult conversations in the future.

Jen, now a postgraduate student, regretted lingering in a relationship for too long: “I didn’t want to hurt his feelings so instead of breaking up with him, we just stayed together for far too long, even though we both liked other people, until eventually we admitted it to each other.

It really wasn’t worth it and we wished we hadn’t wasted time and had just been honest sooner. If its not going to work out then there’s no point feeling bad about it.”

University is an opportunity

Photo: robadob@Flickr

to figure out exactly who you are. A new environment, and the chance to meet new people and experiment, without the attention and the ‘fishbowl’ atmosphere that can exist in your home town. It is important not to attach too much significance to mistakes or errors in judgement.

They’re part of the journey of self discovery.

Some great advice for us all is provided by Stacey, a second year, who had the following to say about University relationships: “We are all learning about ourselves, and who we are, as well as meeting other people.

You may have to kiss some frogs before you find your prince. Or princess, or whatever it is you’re into.”

Get out there, stay safe and most importantly, have fun!

social media followers increased dramatically, and she began to overtake nearly all of her sisters in terms of popularity—something that was dramatically pointed out for all to see when the ‘Klan’ each released their own personalised apps last month. Kylie topped the iTunes app chart in just one day after releasing

her digital hub—beating her older sister (and argued ‘leader’ of the famous family) Kim. When looking at the app, it’s easy to see why she did it—it costs $2.99 to access its content and it’s also full of links to clothes and accessories that ‘King Kylie’ recommends, earning her thousands of dollars in advertiser’s fees alone.

As much as she’s been criticised, it’s somewhat hard to blame Kylie Jenner for utilising her status as a celebrity to further her income. Given the chance, wouldn’t we all do the same? However, money making isn’t the only side effect that social media can have. Nearly everyone we know has at least some form of it on their phones or laptops, and more than most have the whole lot: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and so on. But hardly any of us seem to understand the risks that such profiles pose. While we might think social media is a great resource for stalking our exes to see whether or not their new babes is as hot as us. When you really think about it, the fact that we have the capability of doing that is actually quite scary. While what we’re doing is pretty harmless, there are people out there that use the same methods to do a distinctly more sinister type of stalking.

It’s easy to forget the safety measures you’re willingly foregoing when you sign up for social media, perhaps that’s something that we, as young people, need to become more aware of.

A thought on the selfish selflessness of the gap year Is volunteering in the third world a life changing experience for both parties, or just the one?

Astrid Kitchen Travel Writer I am another who can raise their hand as someone who trooped to the other side of the world to scrawl my signature on ‘genuine’ poverty in the third world. Returning with stories of ‘how these people really live’ I too felt I’d experienced a rare insight into the lives of the receivers of volunteer work, for those who really need it and, more importantly, from those who really need it.

And, indeed, for months afterwards I was an endorphin buzzing mess, gliding around with a half-smile on my face, safe in the knowledge that I had experienced something wholly unique and profound, a secret which kept me warm at night amidst the blunder that is life as a lonely Fallowfield fresher. Setting me apart from my fellow students, I was embarking as an undergraduate in Social anthropology and I was ahead of the game!

Unfortunately, unbeknown to me was the fact that all gap yah kids, impressionable and eager to experience real life, leave voluntourism with the same smug entitlement. Indeed, one of my first tutorials was spent sulking when the guy with long hair and piercings (probably a style inspired by the same trip) had beaten me to it, shoe-horning stories of the ease with which Cambodian children smile, into a discussion about the

cultural significance of the burqa (…) Even now, almost two years on, the predominant feeling I associate with those pivotal four weeks in Tamil Nadu (I’ve been to rural India!!!!!) is guilt.

On a course obsessed with cultural relativism, this is not an easy thing to admit and yet, having spoken to my fellow do-gooders, the lingering flavour left behind from ‘volunteer’ work is a bitter one. This is not to denounce all volunteer work because of course there are life-changing projects which can bring about unquestionable positive change, but for those of us popping over to distant parts of Asia to embed ‘the volunteer experience’ into a four month trip prioritising various forms of cultural enlightenment, the hangover of guilt is not welcome nor appropriate.

To ground this rant in the specific, recalling my time spent at Kings Matriculation Secondary School often leaves my conscience begging for mercy from fearmongering chants scolding my failure to return, poor efforts to stay in regular contact with those with whom I formed close relationships, or, perhaps worst of all, the thought that I returned from holiday sun kissed and rested while my welfare receivers remain enmeshed in their cage of third world hardship.

Am I being harsh? Such remorse

is of course well intentioned, springing from a place of altruism and gratitude, but affording our work such significance is not only immodest but it also elevates us to a higher status socially, economically and morally on the premise that ‘our’ life is better than ‘theirs’ and it is for this reason we ought to ‘do our bit’ to ‘give back’ (in the native tongue of the colonial aid worker).

My gripe is with us European jet setters who, cradling our privilege, render aid receivers vulnerable and dependant peoples sat in the window awaiting our return.

Sadly, speaking from experience, it is highly likely they have forgotten your name if they ever learnt it, they have forgotten the English words for household pets (which they never fully understood anyway, because why would you intentionally ensure a feral cat remained in your house when it was only eating your food and weeing on the floor) or have otherwise forgotten that is was you who taught it them and, for the most part, are going about their day to day life in the same happy fashion you left them in.

Only yes, they still don’t have an iPhone 6, and continue to eat their meals with their left hand, because, yes, they also still don’t see the use in killing the rainforest for toilet roll when God equipped us with fine functioning hands.

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Move It Aj Mal LIfestyle Contributer With the mania of gym and fitness sweeping the nation, it is no surprise that many of you will be signing up for those sweaty hours on the treadmill this autumn.

However there are alternatives for those of us who dread the thought of another aerobics class, the claustrophobic environment of a gym, or who just simply can’t be bothered.

The university’s huge range of sports societies offer something for everyone and are a great way to get in shape and socialise at the same time. Alternatively, outdoor activities can be a fun and free way to get fit fast. Running is more popular than ever, and for those of us who don’t want to run alone there are fantastic running clubs which cater for all levels of fitness and provide a safe and social way to hit the streets. Run Wild, the university’s very own running society, caters for all abilities: whether you’ve never done more than a fast stroll or you’re an experienced runner looking for a way to integrate your passion into your social life!

For those of you who move at a slower pace,

walking and hiking can be great ways to get moving and enjoy the fantastic countryside around Manchester.

Some of the best walking routes in the country are within easy reach, with Saddleworth, the Lake District, Peak District, Wales and Cheshire nearby, all full of breathtaking scenery– and great country pubs to enjoy after! A well-deserved pint and roast at award-winning pubs such as The White Hart in Lydgate, and The Cross Keys in Uppermill, can make a long country walk worthwhile.

If all that still seems like too much effort, incorporating a bit of exercise into your daily routine isn’t too much of a challenge.

Simple changes such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, or walking instead of taking the bus can burn a few extra calories.

This advice will be especially beneficial for those students who are often tempted to take the bus from University Place to the Students’ Union!

Believe it or not, a little romance can go a long way in kick starting your health: even the sight of someone we are attracted to can get the heart beating faster. What’s more, kissing can more than double your meta-

bolic rate! Whilst most of us don’t need any more encouragement, the increased calorie burn is yet another reason to get intimate. Sex is said to burn up to 300 calories per hour, and any activity between the sheets is going to get the heart rate up; after all, you’re going to need to burn off those chocolate-dipped strawberries somehow!

However, the best of the fat-busting late night activities has to be dancing. There are styles, beats and venues to suit everyone. Concerts at the Academy, ballroom dancing with the University’s own Dance Society, and Manchester’s amazingly diverse club scene leave you with no excuse not to dance the night away!

Photo: Racer29@Flickr

For something a little different...

Believe it or not , there’s plenty more to do in Manchester on a student budget than down cheap drinks and dance the night away.

Evangeline Katz Head Lifestyle Editor Now that the mayhem of Freshers Week has finally come to a close and the appeal of continuous boozing has begun to wear out, an alternative soirée could be the key to truly bonding with any new amigos you may have made. Manchester, otherwise known as little London, is brimming with alternative nights out to cater for the many hipsters that reside here. As a result, we can, for once, thank these edgy beings for the variety that their presence has inspired.

Funnily enough, the Northern Quarter is home to my favourite out of these hidden gems—Twenty Twenty Two. Although it has some similarities to London’s Ping, this bar and ping pong/beer pong hall serves reasonably priced beverages in a relaxed and charming Mancunian basement. With comfortable leather sofas and table-side bar stools, you can get a great view of the match or just let the relentless ping-ponging fade into the background.

Dog Bowl is yet another popular haunt.

If you are not yet familiar with Black Dog Ballroom’s bowling alley, then change that fact immediately. Admittedly, this is a slightly more upmarket venue than Twenty Twenty Two, catering generally to young professionals rather than cash strapped students. However, they do offer a student-friendly price of £4 per game on presentation of a valid NUS card.

Their Tex Mex menu is reasonably priced, however I cannot yet vouch for its quality as I have not had the opportunity to try! Although,with a weekday lunch menu at £5 you can’t go too wrong.

Last but not least, and with the best

Taking the plunge – from Wigan to Beijing Elizabeth Gibson Lifestyle Contributor Adjusting to the culture shock of university life is a challenge in itself, yet as a fresher I seemed determined to make life more complicated for myself. I had just started at Manchester when I saw an ad for Study China, a programme that sends students to China for three weeks to study Mandarin.

I applied on a whim: I didn’t think for a minute I would be chosen over older students or those who studied Chinese for their degree. I study French and Spanish, but had done a Mandarin course in my free time, but it was only for beginners. I just thought, what the hell.

Then I got an email saying I had an interview. Then I heard I had a place. This was within only a couple of months of starting uni.

I almost couldn’t believe it was real–everything happened so fast. The furthest I had ever travelled before was to Spain.

And so, my first December at uni, I flew to Beijing. I arrived to snow and soon got used to it–it was one of the coldest winters on record there, or so we were told.

We would shuffle between classes and lectures and activities in thick coats over fleeces with our hats and scarves and gloves and hiking boots, then the moment we got inside we would strip it off

Photo: The Mancunion

cure to a hangover allegedly being laughter, make the most of Frog and Bucket’s Monday amateur comedy night Beat The Frog, with free admission for students (a concession price is available on other nights).

You’ll have plenty of inside jokes provided without much brain power on your part! The venue offers basic food such as pizza and burgers. The club

boasts performers like Steve Coogan and John Bishop, so who knows what you could discover—sometimes a renowned pro even turns up unannounced at the amateur night.

Voted ‘Best Club in the North’ by the Chortle Awards this year, the worst thing that could happen is that you have a great time heckling some poor soul off of the stage.

Overheard University of Manchester The funniest things you’ve been saying around campus this week "Eat like a dog for me."

– Overheard in the Veggie Café "I’m not getting involved in that protest, I may be a bad student but at least I’m not lying to myself."

– Overheard outside Ali G

Photo: Elizabeth Gibson

before we collapsed as the vigorous heating hit us. Then when we finished we would wrap up again.

It was totally surreal, both the lifestyle and the landscape, a mist of snow with the coloured lights of shops and restaurants peeping through. The difference from my life in Manchester was staggering, let alone from my life at home.

Everybody else seemed older than me, mostly in their twenties.

When they found out I was eighteen and had just started Uni they would be amazed and comment on how hard it must be to do something so big so soon. I would reply that I never really decided to do it, I just clicked on something on a whim – yet I guess that wasn’t completely true. I think some part of me knew I was ready to–and needed to–do something like this.

Looking back, I do sometimes wonder if it actually happened.

It all seems like a bizarre, swirly, snowy dream. Sometimes I sit back and think, wow, I was pretty brave. With hindsight I’m glad I did it when I did, as it helped prepare me for my year abroad; plus, organising it now that I have several other commitments would be difficult.

First year for many is a time for doing mad, impulsive things– some with better results than others–but pushing myself to go and be immersed in a new culture on the other side of the world is something I do not regret and which has, in fact, been one of the highlights of my life.

You can visit my China blog to learn more about my experience at lgchina2012.blogspot.co.uk To learn more about the Study China programme, visit www.studychina.org.uk

!

"I just want to go into a dark place and not come back."

– Overheard in Fallowfield "Don’t go to the big Primark, small children vomit in the changing rooms."

– Overheard in Withington "I was in the walk in clinic for three hours and then they pulled an unidentified object out of my ear. I’m a medical marvel."

– Overheard in the SU Bar "I just wish crackling was as good for you as it tastes" – Overheard in the SU "A badger ran at me once." "What did you do?" "I was with my mate and I was going to kick it into a bush so it ran at me."

– Overheard on a 42 bus

?

7-19 OCTober MANIFESTOS ARE LIVE, YOU CAN NOW VOTE FOR YOUR JCR OR RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE! YOU CAN LOOK AT ALL MANIFESTOS, AND VOTE. MANCHESTERSTUDENTSUNION.COM/RAELECTIONS YOUR COMMITTEE WILL REPRESENT YOU AND ORGANISE EVENTS FOR YOUR HALL; HAVE A SAY IN WHO YOU WANT TO LEAD IN THOSE DECISIONS

Sport

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SPORT

/TheMancunion @Mancunion_Sport

‘Leading’: An Evening with Sir Alex Ferguson

Will Kelly discusses the hour long interview with former Manchester United boss in an extraordinary insight into leadership and Manchester United Will Kelly Sport Editor On Friday 25th September, Manchester United fans spent an evening with Sir Alex Ferguson during his interview at Bridgewater Hall. In an hourlong discussion with Dan Walker from the BBC, Ferguson was in a reflective mood as he discussed leadership and the lessons he had learned during his 43 year-long coaching career. The 73 year old’s new book LEADING, has recently been published and discusses how his leadership skills can be applied both on and off the pitch.

The Scotsman spent twenty-six and a half glittering years at Old Trafford winning 38 major trophies, including 13 Premier League Titles and 2 in the Champions League. Sir Alex also enjoyed great success managing Aberdeen—in particular, winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983, defeating Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Sports Editor Will Kelly was present at the interview and discusses some of the key talking points of the night. With no messing about, let’s take a look at some of the most talked about and most controversial points!

World Class Players One of the biggest talking points to have come out of the book has been Ferguson’s claim that he only ever had four world class players at Manchester United—Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Eric Cantona.

Ferguson said he could not believe the level of scrutiny the media had given about this, and proceeded to explain in a calm and effective manner his thoughts. Ferguson explained that as a kid, you would always quite naturally look up to the attackers. Not only were they the most entertaining, but they were also most likely to be the “game changers”. He continued with some analysis of the world’s most prestigious individual football award, the Ballon d’Or. Whether for the right or wrong reason, Ferguson pointed out that in the last 50 years, only two defenders had won this—Franz Beckenbauer and Fabio Cannavaro. The quartet chosen were simply “game changers” and Ferguson stressed that he felt unbelievably privileged to have managed so many top players during his managerial career. Quite defiantly, he declared that the four players he had chosen “Didn’t win the trophies, the team won the trophies.”

Appointment of David Moyes Describing the appointment, Ferguson kept using the word “process” behind the decision. Was there really ever one? Ferguson kept talking of a “process”, yet never really unveiled what this process really was.

One cannot argue in his sentiments that at the time of his retirement, David Moyes had “deserved his chance”. He even said that the media even agreed that Moyes was a suitable candidate for the job. For those who have analysed the fall of Moyes from Manchester United, many point the finger at Ferguson in that he had left an ageing squad for Moyes. Ferguson certainly does not see it quite that way, and makes his view clear in the book: “You would have thought I had left 11 corpses on the steps of a funeral home”.

Complacency is a disease Dan Walker was desperate to ask what Ferguson had said to the European Ryder Cup team in 2010, as many of the players had spoken of the impact Ferguson had on them to come from behind and defeat the USA. At first, Ferguson recounted a funny story with Billy Foster, a golf caddie working with the European team. He was a massive Leeds United fan, and scolded to Ferguson “You robbed Eric Cantona off us!”

“But we paid for him!” responded Ferguson, referring to the £1 million Manchester United paid to Leeds United in order to acquire the services of Cantona which was described to be the bargain of the century.

Speaking about the Ryder Cup team of 2010, he touched on the issue of complacency and how this was a “disease” for individuals and organisations who had enjoyed success.

Speaking about Manchester United in his book, he said he that liked to think that “United’s ability to avoid lapsing towards complacency was one of the characteristics that distinguished the club.” He admitted that they were not always successful but were always eager to “Stamp out the slightest trace of complacency,” something that organi- Sir Alex Ferguson and his new book, ‘Leading’. sations should look to accomplish. In Photo credit: Sean Pollock particular to the build up to the games, with the trophy, a gaggle of geese flew over the Ferguson said he never thought that victory would team! The team commissioned a painting of this ever be in the bag. Nothing was ever guaranteed. moment, and it sits proudly in Ferguson’s office. One During the talk, he recounted his visit to the US can only think that the issue of complacency cerWomen’s Open Championship final in 2012. Victo- tainly came into play in England’s defeat to Wales ria Azarenka was on the verge of beating Serena in the Rugby World Cup. Wales kept chipping away Williams, after being 5-3 up in the final set. Ferguson at the points deficit and broke away with a try to vividly remembers Azarenka giving a fist pump to equalise the game. England appeared shocked and her family and friends in the box. From that point in disarray as they had been leading the on, he said, it went downhill. She lost the game she was serving to win the championship and Williams went on to win the trophy.

Turning back to what he had said to the European Ryder Cup team, the USA were leading the Europeans by 10 points to 6 and only had to win 4.5 points from the remaining 12 in order to win the trophy. He told the team to focus on one point at a time because it is human nature to get complacent.

The moment that happens, things start to go wrong and the Europeans could swing the momentum in their favour. He described how players would forget what they are supposed to do, and were incapable of calming themselves down. Eventually, teams would capitulate and sure enough, this is what happened to the USA team, and the European team entire match, and sure enough, they gave away the came off as famous winners. penalty that Wales kicked to win the match.

He also retold a story to the European team—one that he had originally told Fabien Barthez during Communication his United days. He described how geese would fly 5,000 miles from Canada to France. They fly in a One of Ferguson’s key tactics was ‘communicaV-formation, but the second ones don’t fly—they’re tion’. He described that, in any organisation, it was the subs for the first ones. And then the second ones very important to have constant communication take over, so its “teamwork.” with all the staff, whether it’s the owners or chair“If one goose falls ill, two always have to go with man, tea ladies or even the people in charge of the him. What I was saying was I’m only asking you to kit. In doing so, you create a spine of support, which go 38 games in the league to win it, I’m not asking is particularly important when results are not goyou to fly 5,000 miles!” ing your way. Ferguson also told an anecdote about Sure enough, as the European team celebrated Kath in the laundry room, telling him off for not giv-

The four world class players I had chosen didn’t win the trophies...the team won the trophies

ing her six weeks of money for the lottery tickets she had got him!

Certainly the interaction with people surrounding the club is something that Ferguson misses the most. He revealed, “I miss the people, the buzz about the place. The consolation is as an ambassador and director, I can still watch the team.”

Manchester United’s current form Ferguson was visibly delighted with David De Gea’s decision to stay with the club—something he is very proud of as it was Ferguson who brought De Gea to the club in the first place. Asked about the chances of adding to the string of trophies won during Ferguson’s 26 years, he said that “De Gea can win United the league this season.” He also praised new signing Anthony Martial, who has never panicked when through on goal. On Martial’s coolness in his finish, Ferguson explained that you cannot teach that and that some players are “Born with that ability.”

No regrets One thing Ferguson made abundantly clear was that he had no regrets, largely down to the fact he had had so many great moments. “ I think we should had have had more than three Champion’s Leagues,” he added, “but I can’t look at the career I had at United as a failure.”

Sir Alex Ferguson left the stage to a standing ovation, with myself and many alike visibly delighted to have spent a bit of time in the same room with a true legend to the game.

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SPORTICIPATE: The Launch

Harry Newton informs you of the exciting launch event from SPORTICIPATE on Saturday 10th October Harry Newton Sport Editor Two weeks ago, The Mancunion SPORT brought you the news of the returning programme of SPORTICIPATE by the University of Manchester, after funding continued to bring recreational sports to everybody at the university! Not only is SPORTICIPATE a fantastic little pun, but it is also a great programme trying to get more people involved in

Timetable.

Photo: SPORTICIPATE

very different sports at the university, and reminding people that very competitive team sports at the university aren’t the only ones on offer.

This week we bring you the news that SPORTICIPATE will be officially kicking off on Saturday 10th October at the Sugden Sports Centre, and they are inviting you. The programme itself is in place to try and get everybody at The University of Manchester–whether it be an Ancient History lecturer, a French seminar leader or a Dentistry student–involved in sport, all for free!

The launch event will have taster sessions of some of the sports on offer throughout the academic year by the programme. The event will include; indoor cricket (12-2 PM), korfball (2-4 PM), volleyball (12-2 PM), futsal (2-4 PM), badminton (2-4 PM), table tennis (12-2 PM), lacrosse (2-4 PM), racketball (12-2 PM) and touch rugby (2-4 PM) at this Saturday’s event.

The usual weekly timetable will start in the week beginning the 12th of October, an amended* version to the SPORTICIPATE timetable is below: Last year, SPORTICIPATE was very successful at getting more people involved in their numerous one-off events and usual timetabled events, and this year are aiming to get even bigger.

Each session is led by a student from here at the university, as the aim for SPORTICIPATE is to get everybody included in every capacity of the programme. The one-off events are a great way to try something new too, as last year events varied from Christmas specials on ultimate frisbee and mixed netball, or even human table football. Furthermore, this year there is a current opportunity for a free trip to Jump Nation advertised on the SPORTICIPATE Facebook page.

The programme offers a large variety of sports, including some that most people haven’t tried before. A few examples of these sports are lacrosse, korfball, gymfit, bokwa, bagra, and belly dancing!

People come to university to try many different things, so with such a wide variety of very different sports on offer, why not choose one and give it a go?

Equipment is provided and, in a world where a Freddo could set you back half of your student loan, everything is free! The Mancunion will be bringing you more from SPORTICIPATE throughout the academic year, to inform you even more about these

different sports and activities.

You can like SPORTICIPATE on Facebook, follow @SPORTManchester on Twitter, and email them about any queries on sporticipate@manchester. ac.uk.

Enjoy SPORTICIPATing!

The Mancunion Sport apologises after incorrectly

Photo: SPORTICIPATE

Super Saturday: City set for crosscode clash

Alex Whitcomb reminds us that the Rugby World Cup is not the only big rugby tournament right now.

Alex Whitcomb Sport Reporter

This Saturday evening, the Etihad stadium will see England’s Rugby Union side face off with Uruguay in their final World Cup group game. For most cities, hosting a World Cup match involving the host nation would be enough of an occasion. However, this time, Old Trafford will play host to the Rugby League’s showpiece event - the Super League Grand Final—two hours before England's kick off.

This will be a night to remember for Manchester, not just because Greater Manchester Police will not allow Manchester City and Manchester United to play at home on the same day—but because it’s exceptionally rare that both venues are used for such big matches simultaneously.

For the Southern or international students that are unfamiliar with the Rugby League, there are some differences, but it is as exciting as the Rugby Union! There are 13 players rather than 15. No rucks, contested scrums or lineouts. What gives the league its reputation for speed and tries is the six phase rule. A team can only be tackled and brought to the ground six times before having to hand the ball over to the other side. This means that there aren’t any endless periods of possession and unmoving lines of defence which is often the case in the Rugby Union.

At the time of writing, the favourites to win the Super League are Leeds Rhinos. The winners of the League Leader’s Shield have four out of the thirteen players in the Super League Dream Team, and two out of the three nominees for Man of Steel.

They also have a habit of winning the final, even if they haven’t been close to winning the league, having won the Super League at a record of six times.

Leeds Stalwarts' Kevin Sinfield and Jamie Peacock are joined by young stars like Zak Hardaker. As League Leaders, they will be the marked team of the playoffs.

Huddersfield are also in the mix for glory, the home of the Rugby League—although they have never won the Super League. Coming third in the league this year, 2013's Man of Steel and captain, Danny Brough, will be hoping that he can lead the giants to a first major trophy win since 1962.

Local foes Wigan and St Helens will be fancying their chances for the final too. The fiercest rivalry in club rugby, last year’s final between the two teams descended into chaos in the opening minutes.

Wigan prop Ben Flower was red carded and banned for six months when he punched St Helens’ Lance

Credit: Michael Holdsworth @Flickr

Hohaia twice in the face in the first three minutes of the game. The two sides have also been amongst the most successful in league history. Between them they have 31 Challenge cups and 33 League titles (Wigan more successful with 19 cups and 20 leagues). They are also well represented in the SL Dream Team, with 2 players each.

The Rugby Union and the Rugby League are different codes of the same sport, so it’s often the case that players will switch between one and the other.

Prior to 1995, the Rugby Union was strictly amateur and this meant that working class players changed

to the Rugby League to earn more money. Jonathan Davies is an example of an international in the Rugby Union moving to the league in this era.

Nowadays, players tend to move from the league to the more lucrative Rugby Union; World Cup winners, Jason Robinson and Sonny Bill Williams being the most successful converts this way. Sam Burgess is also a recent case of this, having had a very successful career in the league.

Rugby League has also tried to grow the game outside its heartlands. Arguably one of the greatest league matches ever taken place at Wembley Stadium, England lost to New Zealand in the last 20 seconds of the match and missed out on a place in the 2013 World Cup final. As a southern Rugby League first timer that day, I can safely say it was the most exciting and gut-wrenching sports match I’ve ever been to. Such was the drama—the last minute try was named “Wembley's moment of the year”. In 2013, Wembley also hosted the Champions League final, the FA Cup final and the NFL—so it was certainly a strong endorsement for the Rugby League.

The fact that the England game is the only Rugby Union World Cup match taking place in Manchester, is part of a wider lack of matches in the North.

Traditionally, the Rugby Union is a Southern game and the league is played in the North, particularly in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Only five Rugby World Cup games are in the north this year, and only two are being played in rugby league cities.

The ticket prices are also off-putting to Northerners wanting to see the Rugby Union for the first time.

A ticket to the World Cup will set you back between £50-250. Super League however, ranges between £20-70 in general sale (£10 from the Students’ Union), and is therefore more likely to attract more of the casual observers as well as hardcore fans.

No matter the result of either game, the Super League winner lifting the trophy at the moment when England start their final World Cup group game will be an unmissable sporting occasion.

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“We’re gonna smash them!”

Harry Newton talks to first team captain James Carding, ahead of the 2015 Rugby Varsity Harry Newton Sport Editor Anticipation is building around the University of Manchester this week, as the varsity is coming to town! After having rivalries with the University of Liverpool, local Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford in the past—this year we turn to a new foe— the University of Sheffield—and the men’s team are ready for them!

After joining the team in his first year here at the university, James Carding— now in his third year, is ready for another varsity game, and he wants to win, and to win the right way. He describes the way the team want to play as quick and skilfully as they can; building phases and creating room for each other. No matter what, the captain promises an entertaining watch.

Varsity is massive for any student looking forward to being in the crowd, but the captain stresses that—despite how the game is massive for the players, too—they must concentrate on trying to treat it like any other game.

Despite this measured response, he adds that the crowd can turn a game that he “Wouldn’t like to play varsity away!”

The crowd can build up the nerves, and that, he admits, is good for the team. After a fantastic home record last season, this game will be one not to miss.

Last season saw the lads have a successful year. In a hard league of eight, which saw two teams relegated and only one promoted each year, they got off to a strong start. The team had a dip

in form after January, but consolidated their position in the league, ready for this season. The league itself has had some difficult opposition, including Durham and Loughborough second teams— meaning they can field first team players if they find themselves in trouble.

The hunger to succeed is in the pits of the teams’ stomach and the team have trained hard in a long two week preseason. Carding says that the team have learnt so much about each other and are feeling fit for the year ahead.

With a lot of the same players from last year still in the team adding some necessary experience, the team are aiming to move forward and get a top three finish this year.

If there is one player to watch out for in the varsity though it is the centre— Will Simmonds. Carding says that their back is great to watch, and helps in the attacking quickly play that the team pride themselves on.

He won’t be the only one to watch too, as Carding hinted that a couple of the freshers could find themselves on the bench for the big varsity game, and could inject some fresh blood in an experienced team. After so many people have been down this year to join the team, this will pay dividends this season for the boys— and there’s still a chance for you to join too.

After fifteen years in a row of disaster and defeats for Manchester Metropolitan University, our men’s rugby team have looked further afield for more of an opposition and to try their hand at a different rivalry. Despite how this may seem like a new rivalry, the two teams

Photo: UMRFC Facebook Page

have history as the current Sheffield coach was the Manchester coach here two years ago, and trained Carding in his first year. Hopefully Carding can use the skills he learnt and use them against the returning coach.

Carding, who is also part of the university’s cricket team, is committed

to our university rugby team—and is committed to the national side too! He thinks that England have played well so far in the Rugby World Cup and were unlucky against Wales—but admits the New Zealand team is his pick to win.

When asked about the slogan “we’re gonna smash them,” Carding smiles and

says that’s how the boys will be playing.

Take your seats this Friday—it’s going to be a good one.

You can contact the University of Manchester Rugby Club on Twitter and Facebook: @umrc facebook.com/UMRC

Sport In The City

Adam Selby takes a look at sport opportunities in Manchester, with this week’s spotlight on the UEC BMX European Cup Adam Selby Sport Reporter

Over the course of the academic year, as well as paying close attention to, and prioritising the progress and successes of, our university’s very own societies, teams and campus sports, let our new Sport in the City feature tempt you into a very different sporting day out.

Whether it’s a new sport, a team about whom you did not know, or just an event that interests us, we hope that we will entice you to explore the wide sporting variety that the city has to offer during your time studying at the University of Manchester.

In the spotlight this week: The 2015 UEC BMX European Cup Well… what is it?

The UEC BMX European Cup is an annual BMX bike competition, featuring the elite crop of BMX bike riders, not just from throughout Europe but all over the world. Similar to the way in which the BMX World Cup operated between April and September of this year, the 2015 edition is also divided between a number of different stages in various cities throughout Europe. After touring Belgium, France, Denmark and

Switzerland with two stages hosted in each country, Manchester has been picked as the lucky hosts of Stages 9 and 10, in what culminates as the final of this very prestigious event in the world of BMX cycling.

Each stage in the European Cup offers a weekend of sporting activity, with various individual races for the elite men, women and even juniors. Over 1000 riders from 12 or more counties are anticipated to be in Manchester for the most illustrious competition in the world of BMX cycling. Thus far, in the previous eight stages of the European Cup, one thing the results do tell is that in this sport, always be prepared to expect the unexpected, with the ‘Men’s individual Race #1’ being won by four different riders in four different countries.

However, regarding the Women’s competition, do keep your eye out for 24 year old Venezuelan BMX rider Stefany Hernandez. Should the Olympian compete in Manchester and win both stages, she will make it eight stage wins out of the ten in which she has taken part.

How do I get there?

This year’s event takes place at the National Cycling Centre – more commonly known throughout Manchester as the Velodrome – which is situated just over the road from the

home of Manchester City Football Club—The Etihad Stadium. Although not visible from the main road, the venue is situated just before the large ASDA complex opposite the football stadium and is heavily signposted around the Etihad and Sportcity campus.

In terms of travel, the National Cycling Centre is based 3.2 miles away from the University of Manchester Students’ Union and again is easily accessible through means of public transport.

Should you wish to travel by bus, you will need to catch the 216 to Sportcity from Stop D in Piccadilly Gardens, with a journey time of only 10 minutes.

However, you could catch the Metrolink from anywhere in the City Centre and get off at the ‘Velopark’ stop, which is the nearest stop to the National Cycling Centre. Trams run to and from Velopark every 12-15 minutes. However, please note that due to Manchester City’s home game on the Saturday of the event, take extra time to plan your travel to and from the venue.

for a day for £12, we think such an event is both affordable and well-priced for students looking for an afternoon of sport. Unfortunately, no concessionary options are available, but the above spectator tickets can be purchased online here.

But how much does it cost to get in?

Tell me something I didn’t already know…

Inevitably, as with any major competition, regardless of the type of sport, the entry price often represents the standard of athletes and competitors involved. But with a three day pass priced at £25, a two day weekend pass at £18, or even if you only fancy visiting

What are the facilities like?

The National Cycling Centre offers the only permanent indoor BMX track in the country, with seating for up to 1800 fans. Its velodrome is often cited as the catalyst for Great Britain’s recent cycling success, with the likes of Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton being big fans of the facilities in Manchester. As well as offering several multi-purpose sports courts for badminton, basketball and even korfball, the BMX facilities are only four years old and the complex itself was constructed at a cost of £24 million in a partnership between Manchester City Council and British Cycling, whose headquarters are housed there, too.

Although many people associate the word BMX with the type of bike that you would ride when you were much younger, the format of BMX racing is actually derived from motocross racing and as a sport, its origins are thought to

derive from 1970’s Southern California.

After calls for the sport to be recognised in the Olympic Games, it was only in 2003 when the International Olympic Committee agreed that BMX bike riding could be considered a full medal Olympic sport from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games onwards. Subsequently, the first Olympic gold medal winners in the sport were French female rider Anne-Caroline Chausson and Latvian male Māris Štrombergs, with the latter still holding on to his gold medal after success in the 2012 London Olympics.

Finally, when can I see this in action?

The 2015 UEC BMX European Cup takes place in under a fortnight’s time, between Friday 16th October and Sunday 18th October. Therefore, you have plenty of time to plan in advance and to enjoy a different day out with more thrills, spills and skills than over the road at the Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City will host the 2014/15 Sky Bet Championship winners Bournemouth during the same weekend on the Saturday.

If you have any requests for local teams, sports or events taking place in Manchester, or if you wish to be involved, please contact: sports@mancunion.com.

5th OCTOBER 2015/ ISSUE 3 FREE

SPORT Sir Alex Interview P.29

Rugby League Final

: @Mancunion_Sport : /TheMan cunion

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Men’s Rugby Varsity

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VARSITY SPECIAL #PURPLEANDPROUD

Women’s Rugby Varsity: “This is no friendly match!”

Will Kelly talks to Women’s Rugby captain Adelaide Harris ahead of the upcoming Varsity match.

The University of Manchester’s Women’s Rugby Union team are raring to get the season started with a victory against Didsbury Ladies in the upcoming Varsity match. Unfortunately 2 weeks ago, Manchester Metropolitan decided that they would not be providing teams for Varsity, the most anticipated student sports match of the season. Captain Adelaide Harris was disappointed at the news because she feared that Varsity would lose its “local derby” element that made it a fantastic occasion.

However, thanks to the news that Didsbury Ladies Rugby team have stepped in, this Varsity has the makings of a very unique match. The Didsbury Ladies Rugby team will be effectively, a Barbarians team made up of some former and current University of Manchester students. Adelaide has been delighted by the news and assures me that this has the makings of an epic clash: “They are our friends but this is going to be a fierce competition. We know how we both play and although this match maybe built up as a friendly, on the pitch this will be no friendly. It will be fierce!”

It has been fair to say that the Women’s rugby team has massively grown in size and stature over the last few years. Adelaide tells me that 2 years ago, the club had only one competitive team and one development team. Their initial philosophy was solely down to participation, and the development team at the time did not have enough experience in playing rugby.

Last season the club were able to field two teams for all the games, which demonstrates how rapid the club is growing

in size. Moreover, the amount of interest shown at the start of this academic year has completely blown Adelaide away.” It has been amazing really. For our taster sessions, we had over 50 girls in attendance and 200 sign ups at the sports fair.”

Adelaide does recognise that World Cup fever has gripped the country and this has helped increase women’s interest in playing rugby. However, she gives great credit to the work being done by the RFU to promote the game. “Women’s rugby has certainly changed since I joined university. The RFU has made significant changes at grass roots level that are getting girls playing rugby at school, and at a much younger age.” Moreover, Adelaide adds that the club are now in a position to change their philosophy: “Our club has always been about participation but now, we are in a position able to tackle the performance side of our team. Girls are joining the university team having played rugby for a few years, which is really good for us.”

Certainly one of the success stories of the club and one to watch this season is Zoe CharlesFord. Zoe was a fresher last year and her only experience of rugby had been touch rugby. Joining the development squad, Zoe improved rapidly and secured a place in the first team. Not only that, she also caught the eye of Lancashire and is now playing rugby at county level. This is a tremendous achievement and joining Zoe at Lancashire are two other University of Manchester students in Jessica Bailey and Selena Lockyer.

Seeing these girls progress is a credit to the development program the club has run and Ad-

Photo: Adelaide Harris

elaide is visibly excited with the new girls coming into the club.

“I can’t get enough of our freshers, I never want them to leave!” she exclaimed. “I am meeting girls who have never touched a rugby ball before yet they are up for anything. Last Saturday, we ran two sessions in touch rugby and contact and loads went for contact!”

This is certainly something Adelaide loves to see and encourages any girls who are interested to come to training. “I started playing rugby really late on in university and I am gutted I did not join sooner, I have had the

best time. Socially, I found some amazing friends and through rugby, I found a sport I am good at when I always thought sport wasn’t for me”.

Speaking ahead of the season, Adelaide wants a strong performance in the BUCS and to see the second team rock up some wins in the Northern 3A division. For the 1st XV, Adelaide would like the team to push for a top 2 finish in the Northern 1 A division and to break into the Premiership. “This is definitely within our reach”, stressed Adelaide, “We finished 3rd last season 1 point behind 2nd place

having to void one of the matches. We could have beaten every team we faced last season and only lost the last game of the season by a try, we are progressing rapidly and would like to push on with our objectives”.

First thing’s first, a test against Didsbury ladies lies first and Adelaide and her girls will be looking to start the season strong with a win. This will be the last ever game for the University of Manchester for our recent graduates and I am sure they will do the purple shirt proud.

Adelaide encourages anyone who is interested in joining the

club, or to simply try out rugby, to come to a training session.

The club train twice a week: Mondays 8:30-10:00 and Thursdays 5:00-6:30. To get in contact, follow the twitter page or like the Facebook page: @Uomwrfc www.facebook.com/UniversityOfManchesterWomensRugbyClub